Herts Police mark International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia

The flag was flying high at Hatfield Police Station today on Monday 17 May as the Constabulary joined forces with local partners to recognise the day.

The annual event was created in 2004 to draw the attention of policy makers, opinion leaders, social movements, the public and the media to the violence and discrimination experienced by the LGBT+ community worldwide.

Officers came together this afternoon for a socially distanced event which paid respect to those who have been targeted because of their sexuality or gender identity and celebrated the progress that is being made to tackle hate crime.

The event was organised by the Herts Police LGBT+ Network, a support group that provides advice to staff and officers on all LGBT+ issues – whether personal or operational.

They were joined by Chief Fire Officer Darryl Keen and partners from Hertfordshire County Council, as well as representatives from the Terrance Higgins Trust – a HIV and sexual health charity.

The event was led by Chief Constable Charlie Hall who spoke of the importance of the police working together with local partners to support the LGBT+ community.

Chief Constable Charlie Hall said: "Hertfordshire Constabulary is dedicated to supporting the LGBT+ community all year round and IDAHOBIT provides a key opportunity for us to reflect on what we as a police force can do to help keep the LGBT+ community safe. Working with our local partners is key to this and it was a pleasure to be joined by them today.

"Being different is not a crime but being victimised because of it is. I would like to take this opportunity to remind the LGBT+ community that they should never hesitate to report homophobic, transphobic or biphobic hate crime. We have a wide range of support available to you, including specially trained LGBT+ Liaison Officers, and you will always be treated with the respect you deserve."

Recently, more than 50 newly-trained hate crime champions were recruited in Hertfordshire to support people who have been targeted just for being who they are.

Representatives from district and borough councils, housing associations, charities and community groups joined two online training sessions run by Hertfordshire Constabulary last month.

As hate crime champions in their organisation they can now help to raise awareness of hate crime, support individuals who have been a victim and encourage them to report it to police or via a third-party organisation.

Hate crimes are crimes like any other, but that have the added distinction that the victim was targeted because of their disability, race, religion, sexual orientation or transgender identity.