Police Information

Campaign on Homophobic Hate Crime

Mon, September 24, 2001

Source: Greater Manchester Police

A new GMP campaign to tackle homophobic hate crime is under way.

CAMPAIGN ON HOMOPHOBIC HATE CRIME

A new GMP campaign to tackle homophobic hate crime is under way.

Last month, Chief Constable David Wilmot launched a special booklet in conjunction with the Greater Manchester Lesbian and Gay Policing Initiative.

Some 14,000 locally-customised booklets and 2,000 posters giving local information and contacts have been circulated.

The booklets identify specially-trained local officers to whom hate crimes can be reported, with an assurance that GMP will treat every report seriously, confidentially and, if necessary, anonymously.

There is also a series of answers to questions most often asked by victims when considering reporting a homophobic crime.

The booklets have been made available at libraries, health centres, citizens' advice centres, bars and other public places across Greater Manchester.

There are now 400 multi-agency centres for reporting homophobic hate crime throughout the GMP area, more than anywhere else in the country.

In addition, GMP has introduced Britain's first specific lesbian and gay policing web site.

It is dedicated to issues such as policing public sex environments, personal safety advice, reporting methods, advice agencies and police liaison officers. In the web address, 'lgbt' stands for 'lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans.'

Mr Wilmot said at the launch that homophobic hate crime could ruin the quality of life of victims and those who feared becoming victims.

"It is vitally important that GMP makes reporting of homophobic crime easier," Mr Wilmot said.

"This booklet and e-mail facility is a response to community needs and reflects our continued efforts to ensure our service is inclusive to all."

Paul Martin, chief executive of the Lesbian and Gay Foundation, where the launch was held, said: "We are proud of our record of lobbying and working with GMP. It is important to keep homophobic hate crime high on the agenda of all statutory agencies to break the cycle of prejudice and under-reporting