London, Jan 10 (TIWN) Homophobic hate crimes in London have increased by 55 per cent in five years, prompting calls for changes to the law, it was reported.

Shaun Bailey, the Conservative candidate for mayor of London, called for new laws and tougher sentencing for homophobic attacks.

Mayor Sadiq Khan said it was "too simplistic to think that creating a new offence will solve the problem".