News

Hate crime research underway

Community and race relations officer
PC Robin Stannard
Photo courtesy of Swindon Evening Advertiser

Police fear that up to three quarters of gay-hate crime is going unreported in Swindon.

Now, a survey is underway to establish why.

Criminologist Dean Blackmore ­ an expert on homophobic hate crime from Portsmouth University is carrying out the research.

He has visited gay night-spots in town to gauge how much trust the community has in the police.

Community and race relations officer PC Robin Stannard, of Swindon police, said: "A high proportion of gay people do not trust the police, and there are historic reasons for this.

"Police are seen as the arm of the state and of course being gay was once a criminal offence.

"Others are embarrassed, and others may be members of the gay community, but have not come out say at work.

"Unfortunately there are still bigots around."

Attacks have centred around Faringdon Road Park, which has been part of the gay scene for years, but there have also been reports in other areas of town.

The survey results will be presented at the annual meeting of Swindon's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Coalition ­ which came up with the survey idea ­ next month.

Mr Blackmore said: "I hope that this anonymous survey will build a bridge between the police and gay people if there is a feeling that they have been let down."

Meanwhile, the police are urging victims who do not want to contact them directly to use the True Vision reporting scheme.

Details of crimes can be left anonymously to alert the police.

Visit http://www.report-it.org.uk for details.

The coalition's annual meeting starts at 7.30pm on Wednesday, February 9, at the Civic Offices in Euclid Street at 7.30pm.