Video: Film urges reporting of anti-gay crimes in Hampshire
Police in Hampshire have released a new film demonstrating the work of their liaison officers with the gay, bi and trans community and encouraging victims and witnesses of hate crimes to report them.
The short dramatisation shows a Portsmouth man receiving anti-gay abuse and being chased outside a pub and his subsequent decision to report the incident.
The Hampshire Constabulary video promotes the work of its Lesbian and Gay Liaison Officers, or LAGLOs.
It was written by Enquiry Officer Jocelynne Kingsford, herself a Lesbian and Gay Liaison Officer to encourage reporting of homophobic and transphobic incidents in the area.
She said: “Many people who contact the police to report this sort of abuse are concerned that they might be wasting police time.
“That’s simply not the case.
“It doesn’t matter if you’ve been shouted at, called names, assaulted or intimidated in the street, in a bar or at a football match, for example. We want to know about it.
“As the film shows, you can call us on 101, or 999 if it’s happening now, and ask to speak to a LAGLO. We will make sure one is able to respond to your call as soon as possible.”
The film is also being used to train constabulary staff about the role of LAGLOs and issues affecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
Officer Kingsford also runs LAGLO surgeries across Portsmouth including in the HB bar where part of the film was shot.
She said: “I’d like to thank the staff at the HB for allowing us to film in the bar as well as the Collingwood RSC, the drama group who kindly provided their acting services to appear in the film.”
