Brighton police to tackle homophobic crime (From The Argus)
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Brighton police to tackle homophobic crime
2:40pm Thursday 22nd April 2010 in News By Ben Parsons, Crime Reporter
An annual police operation is back under way to fight homophobic crime.
Sussex Police is targeting patrols at areas such as Kemp Town in Brighton to crack down on crimes against the gay community.
Operation Reagan is running across Brighton and Hove, after police reported a 8% fall in hate crimes over the last year.
Police include homophobic abuse, theft and assault among the crimes, receiving 230 reports in the last 12 months, compared with 251 the previous year.
Nick Antjoule the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual liaison officer for Sussex Police’s Brighton and Hove division, said: “Summer is when the city comes to life for many residents.
“Our aim is to create an environment where people can enjoy being out in Brighton without living in fear.
“Operation Reagan was first set up to deal with incidents in a small area but now encompasses the whole city.
“Over the years it has been a vital tool in preventing offenders from targeting vulnerable people.”
Police estimate the LGBT population of the city at 35,000, rising in holiday periods.
The summer operation runs alongside Operation Columbus, to combat crimes against foreign students in the city.
Police are urging the public to contact them if they are aware of hate crime problems.
Mr Antjoule said: “We can do this most effectively with the support of the public.
“Every report is important and helps us work with the community to keep the city safe.”
The Brighton and Hove LGBT Switchboard has launched an independent hate crime information, support and reporting service on 01273 204050, with trained call-takers who can receive reports anonymously and pass them to police if callers want them to.
Alternatively, people can call Sussex Police directly on 0845 6070999, or in an emergency 999, or for advice and support you contact Mr Antjoule on 07799 347114 or email 'LGBT@sussex.pnn.police.uk'.
Comments(12)
notaconspiracy
says...
3:14pm Thu 22 Apr 10
Shouldn't the headline be 'Brighton Police to tackle crime'?
Isn't that just their job?
icansee
says...
4:08pm Thu 22 Apr 10
well shortly after this jolly, Inspector Mark Andrews (who won a national award for his work in the gay community) and a colleague who were carefully selected by sussex police for this role were arrested for possession of cocaine
after no court case they both duly resigned from sussex police
what an embarrassing **** up!
icansee
says...
4:12pm Thu 22 Apr 10
gus.co.uk/news/44524
66.Sussex_Police_off
icers_quit_after_dru
gs_allegation_questi
oning/
Brightonscouse2
says...
4:29pm Thu 22 Apr 10
stan bailey
says...
4:49pm Thu 22 Apr 10
Granny
says...
5:24pm Thu 22 Apr 10
Gaz the great
says...
5:54pm Thu 22 Apr 10
cheezburger
says...
6:16pm Thu 22 Apr 10
yorkie44
says...
6:36pm Thu 22 Apr 10
icansee
says...
7:38pm Thu 22 Apr 10
cheezburger wrote:exactly right!
So stealing something from a gay person is considered a homophobic crime? I've said this many a time on here before, but the law is for all and we are all equal in the eyes of the law. Special dispensation should NOT be going to any sector of the community. We all pay our taxes and we all deserve to be treated equally. Im not saying homophobic crimes shouldnt be investigated, of course they should, i just mean we should all have the same protection. And whatever your sexuality, colour, religious view we should all have the same rights. Imagined hate crimes imply that if you mug a gay person, for example, you will be treated harsher than if you mugged a straight person. You could say that either there are no hate crimes, or all crimes are hate crimes. If you commit a crime as well you shouldnt be treated any differently, like BrightonScouser said.
it simple aint it ..when a crime has been committed it requires an investigation
if after this investigation there is enough evidence to charge someone with a criminal offence then do it
this is all that needs to be done!
High Wire
says...
11:15pm Fri 23 Apr 10
cheezburger wrote:cheezburger - why do you always confuse policing methods (the subject of this article) with application of the law ? If you stopped doing this you wouldn't have to keep repeating the same tosh. The city has to allocate police resources to the crimes that are most prevelant - these could be racist, homophobic, financial crimes or whatever. We may all have the same rights (to your point), but surely you understand that crime is not fairly distributed ?
So stealing something from a gay person is considered a homophobic crime? I've said this many a time on here before, but the law is for all and we are all equal in the eyes of the law. Special dispensation should NOT be going to any sector of the community. We all pay our taxes and we all deserve to be treated equally. Im not saying homophobic crimes shouldnt be investigated, of course they should, i just mean we should all have the same protection. And whatever your sexuality, colour, religious view we should all have the same rights. Imagined hate crimes imply that if you mug a gay person, for example, you will be treated harsher than if you mugged a straight person. You could say that either there are no hate crimes, or all crimes are hate crimes. If you commit a crime as well you shouldnt be treated any differently, like BrightonScouser said.
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To your point about fair redistribution of tax, I think you'll find the gay population lose out if you compare tax paid versus benefit gained. The obvious disparity being kids schooling which plays only a small part in most gay people's lives. And Brighton has the highest spend of all local authorities on child welfare - again not something the gay population derives much direct benefit from.
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If society unfairly discriminates against you (especially regarding crime), you SHOULD have 'special dispensation' from the police resources.
davyboy says...
3:05pm Thu 22 Apr 10