News

Hate crime survey report: Police respond to results

Wiltshire Police continue to tackle homophobia knowing that hate crime is particularly distressing for its victims.

Members of the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgendered Coalition (LGBT), including Swindon Police, comprising of wide ranging service providers and users (Local Authority, Health, Support Groups) meets regularly to discuss issues surrounding hate crime trends.

The LGBT Coalition identified that there was a need to further engage with the gay and lesbian community, asking questions as to:

• How relationships and trust could be improved
• Why many incidents were not reported
• Ways in which they think reporting could be supported/improved

A recommendation was then made for a survey to be carried out.

Members of the Community & Race Relations Department have, over a period of time, established a consultative and academic interaction with the author of the report, Dean Blackbourn, from the Institute of Criminal Justice Studies at the University of Portsmouth. Dean visited Swindon’s Gay venues and informally met with some members of the LGBT Coalition. Some discussion took place regarding the feelings of the gay community in Swindon and their relationship with the police. It was agreed that Dean be asked to carry out the survey with the help of LGBT members, and report his findings. The survey was commissioned by the Swindon LGBT Coalition and facilitated by the Swindon Police Community & Race Relations Department.

The survey highlights the main reasons for reluctance/failure to report homophobic incidents to the Police as:

• General mistrust of the Police
• People felt nothing could be done so did not bother to report
• Belief that Police are a homophobic organisation
• Fear of personal disclosure

Superintendent Richard Rowland, Swindon Police:

"Every newly appointed Police Officer and frontline member of Police staff receives training that raises awareness of LGBT issues, challenges homophobic attitudes and language whilst clearly defining the level of professionalism expected of all employees.

"We have invested heavily in the training of Gay Liaison Officers over the past few years and around 150 members of staff have been trained altogether. There are currently 72 operational officers fully trained as GLOs in Wiltshire. These Officers provide support for victims, families and friends and assist colleagues to deal with homophobic incidents. The numbers of trained officers is such now that we are likely to have someone on duty at any time who can bring greater awareness and understanding when we deal with a Homophobic offence.

"We have also introduced TRUE VISION within this Force which encourages third party reporting of hate crime, including homophobic and transphobic incidents, for which there is a specific pack. This initiative is specifically intended to increase the levels of reporting of hate crimes. Higher levels of reporting will generate an increase in investigation and detection. Victims can help the Police to tackle homophobic crime. Any information will help us to apprehend those responsible or contribute to effective prevention strategies being put in place.

"It is particularly noteworthy that survey participants who had been in direct contact with the Police were more positive about their experience than those who had not. Their views are based on perception. We have, in the past few years, made good progress in improving relationships with the gay and lesbian communities, putting in place a range of new policies and initiatives; however, we still have some way to go. Confidence and trust in the Police by any minority group can be difficult to gain and we will take on board the findings of the Survey and look at positive ways of addressing the issues and perceptions raised.

"I would like to reassure any victims reporting homophobic incidents that the matter will be dealt with sympathetically and treated with the utmost confidentiality."

Inspector Bob Markham, Swindon Police Community and Race Relations Department:

"Only by reporting an incident can we do anything to stop it happening again, not only to you but to others as well. With your help the Police can provide you with the service to meet your needs, so as to protect you and others. If you wish to discuss, in confidence, your concerns about reporting a homophobic incident please call the Swindon Police Community and Race Relations Department on 01793 891387 where all staff are trained GLOs.

"If you wish to report an incident to someone not connected to the Police you can do so via:

• Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 where anonymity is guaranteed
• The LGBT Coalition Website
• Gay Venues in the Town (where the police also hold drop-ins regularly)
• The Gay Men’s Health Website

A particularly positive issue arising from the survey is that 18 persons have expressed a keen interest to work with Swindon Police in an advisory capacity. Each of these persons will be contacted personally by a member of the Community Race and Relations Department. It is hoped that they will help increase the willingness of the community to open up to the Police and act as an important link to break down any barriers and concerns by further increasing our understanding. The assistance we receive from all of our contacts is invaluable"

Click here to read the full report of the survey results (PDF format)