Worcester officers show support with rainbow flag - The Worcester Observer

Worcester officers show support with rainbow flag

Worcester Editorial 27th May, 2016 Updated: 19th Oct, 2016   0

OFFICERS at Worcester Police Station flew the rainbow flag to mark International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOT).

Warwickshire and West Mercia Police showed their support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities by flying the flag, which is a symbol of gay pride and reflects the diversity of the community.

Since 2004, IDAHOT has been celebrated in 130 countries every year on May 17 and aims to draw attention to the violence and discrimination experienced by LGBT people internationally.

Committed to tackling hate crime and hate incidents carried out against members of the LGBT community, Chief Supt Lee Davenport, hate crime lead, said: “The day is about showing solidarity with the LGBT community and sending out a message that we won’t tolerate hate crime in all its forms and neither should anyone else.




“In today’s society, nobody should be victimised because of who they are and we want to ensure nobody suffers in silence.

“We know that hate crimes of all types are underreported and one of the aims of today is to ensure people from the LGBT community come forward if they have been a victim of a hate crime in the confidence that they will be listened to and the crime investigated.”


Hate crime is any criminal offence which is perceived by the victim or any other person to be motivated by a hostility or prejudice based on a person’s race, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or an individual characteristic which makes them different.

Robin Brabban, chair of the Warwickshire Police and West Mercia Police LGBT Independent Advisory Group (IAG), said: “As Chair of the police Independent Advisory Group for LGBT people, we welcome the continued efforts of West Mercia Police to tackle hate crime and to encourage anyone experiencing harassment or abuse to report incidents to the police.

“The IAG reviews and scrutinises hate crimes and hate incidents. We would like to encourage any interested members of the LGBT community to join our group to ensure continued support and advice for the police in pursuing this form of hate crime.”

If anyone is interested in becoming a member of the LGBT IAG contact Jo-An Golding on 02476 483 121 or e-mail [email protected]

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