Kent Police Supporting International Day Against Homophobia

Kent Police is re-affirming its commitment to combat hate crime in South Kent.

Thursday 17 May has been dedicated as the International Day Against Homophobia and police are circulating a special poster to encourage victims of homophobic and transphobic incidents to report them.

Kent Police is committed to work with its diverse communities, to understand their needs and concerns and to ensure they have a voice.

Community Liaison Officer, Mick Cronin, has been involved with a number of initiatives over the past seven years and says there has been increased mutual trust and co-operation with lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender groups: "I would like to thank everyone who has come forward and got involved. We are, however, under no illusions at the work still to be done.

"We will continue and increase our efforts, but would appeal to members of the LGBT communities to join with us. We have a regular local Minority Communities Policing Panel, involving Police, Local Authority, Health Authority, Victim Support, CPS and, most importantly, members of the community.

"We would very much welcome new members to discuss how we can continue what we are doing right and improve what we are not. There are also regular LGBT Community Liaison meetings for the whole of Kent and Medway- full details are published on the Kent Police website: www.kent.police.uk"

We want you to have a voice in how we Police you.

We recognise that not everybody is prepared to report a Homophobic or Transphobic incident directly to the Police. If so you can contact the Kent Homophobic Incident reporting Line on 0800 328 9162 or complete a self reporting form in a True Vision pack.

If you would like more details please contact Mick Cronin, South Kent Police Community Liaison Officer on 01303 289268.