Brighton and Hove Central
District
The Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Team
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What is LGBT?
The term LGBT is used to collectively refer to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people.
What does the LGBT team do?
The LGBT team has two dedicated liaison officers for the LGBT Community. These unique roles are aimed at providing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people with an identifiable police contact. As well as the support they are able to offer, they also examine patterns of hate crimes and incidents reported to the police.
The liaison officers work in partnership with the Community Safety Team to assist and refer people with other types of problems such as housing issues and anti-social behaviour. They also work with other police forces to share ideas and good practice with regards to working with the LGBT community. Things seem to have moved on a great over the past five years or so with regards to the police and diversity issues. The Sussex Police LGBT team are often contacted by other forces wishing to visit and implement their ideas - such as the ‘Gaydar’ online reporting (see below) and their partnership working.
In addition to the above office-based support, Kemptown (home to the majority of gay bars and clubs in Brighton) is patrolled by a team of officers dedicated to providing community policing and a high visibility presence in the area. The team is comprised of a sergeant and seven police officers and community support officers who are regular faces in the area and LGBT venues. High visibility patrols are aimed at reducing the fear of crime and providing public reassurance, as well as identifying those responsible for hate related incidents towards the LGBT community.
What can the LGBT team do for me?
The LGBT Team can:
Advise you – It’s not always easy to know if what has happened to you is a crime. If you are not sure, please ask us. We can speak to you privately, give advice about your options or put you in touch with other organisations that can support you. We will listen to you, identify what has happened and make sure that the appropriate action is taken. We take reports of incidents where you may have been targeted or hurt because of your sexual orientation or gender identity. This can include verbal abuse, harassment, hate mail, graffiti, criminal damage, assault and sexual abuse. We also offer support to those being bullied or abused at home.
Update you – We will contact you as soon as possible after you have reported an incident to us. We will also provide you with contact details so that you can contact us if you have any further questions, want to know how your case is going or talk about anything that might be worrying you.
Support you – If you would like further assistance from other local support organisations that understand your specific needs we can refer you to them (with your consent).
Protect you – If appropriate we will arrest the suspect at the time to protect you from further harm. If that’s not possible we will do all we can to find them. We will take your wishes into account when deciding further actions and keep you informed during every step of the way.
Guide you – If you are not used to the procedures of the criminal justice system, the process can seem quite daunting. We will talk you through all the procedures so you know what is happening, what you’re being asked to do and why. For example, we will probably need you to give us a statement explaining what happened. If you have to go to court we can explain the court process to you. We can also accompany you to court and support you throughout the process.
What if I don’t live in Brighton & Hove?
The LGBT is based in Brighton & Hove because of its substantial LGBT population. However, if you live in other parts of Sussex we’re happy to take enquiries from you regarding any LGBT issues you may have.
What exactly is a homophobic biphobic or transphobic incident?
Sussex Police defines this as ‘any incident which is perceived to be homophobic, biphobic or transphobic by the victim or any other person’. Homophobia is a fear or hatred of gay people and biphobia is the same of bisexual people. These are based on a person’s perceived or actual sexual orientation. Transphobia is a fear or hatred of trans people and is based on a person’s perceived or actual gender identity.
What do I do if I’m a victim of homophobic, biphobic or transphobic violence or harassment?
Sussex Police encourage the reporting of all homophobic, biphobic and transphobic incidents and they will be recorded and investigated in line with the victim’s wishes. After reporting an incident you can expect it to be dealt with in an appropriate, sensitive and serious manner.
The Anti-Victimisation Unit (AVU) at Brighton Police Station has a team of specialist detectives who are dedicated to the investigation of hate crime - including homophobic, biphobic and transphobic incidents. Also within the AVU are the LGBT Community Liaison Officers, who are available to offer support and advice to victims and witnesses. They are also able to support and assist you through the criminal justice system.
Sussex Police will not tolerate any form of hate crime. We are committed to ensuring your safety, regardless of your sexual orientation or gender identity.
Why should I bother reporting anything to the LGBT team? What can you do?
Hate crime affects us all. It does not just affect individuals, it affects whole communities. We are the working as your local police officers and staff to strive towards the safety and protection of the people who live within our diverse communities. We’re here to help anyone who, like you, may have been affected by someone else’s prejudice, ignorance or violence. With support from specially trained staff we will do all we can to help you deal with what’s happened to you. We also have specific Anti-Victimisation Units which assist those affected by hate crime and domestic violence.
Not all homophobic, biphobic and transphobic incidents happen in Brighton & Hove – a city which is often referred as the ‘gay capital of Britain’. We recognise that incidents also happen in people’s own neighbourhoods, including within the family home. Domestic violence and abuse also occurs within the LGBT community and homophobia, biphobia or transphobia can also be inflicted by close friends or family members as well as current or ex-partners.
It is important that incidents are reported to the police so that perpetrators can be caught and support offered to those who need it.
Prejudice and discrimination cannot be eradicated overnight, but we are bringing about a much needed change within the communities we live in to improve the quality of life for its members and protect those that are at risk. This means that we need victims and witnesses to tell us about incidents. We also need intelligence – information on hate crime against the LGBT community, so we can develop plans to tackle problems and stamp out these incidents. It’s also useful for people to report incidents of a less serious nature - including times, dates and what the suspects were wearing - as they may lead to incidents of a more serious nature later on and assist us in arresting the offenders.
How can I make a report?
You can go to any police station, or talk to a member of the LGBT over the phone. You can talk to us yourself or, if you prefer, ask someone else to speak on your behalf - such as a friend, relative, community leader or solicitor. You could even ask someone from you local authority, housing association, advice bureau, school or college to speak for you.
No matter who we talk to and whatever you or anyone else tells us about what has happened to you, you will be treated confidentially, sensitively and appropriately. We can also agree to only contact you at certain times and only using specified telephone numbers or addresses if you would like us to.
How do I report any incidents?
You can report incidents in a number of different ways:
- Always dial 999 in an emergency
- Telephone the police on 0845 6070999
- Speak to a LGBT Liaison Officer directly by dialling 01273 665657/665541 (Monday to Friday normal office hours only).
- Email a LGBT Liaison Officer via this website.
- Fill out and send a "True Vision" self-reporting form (available in many LGBT venues).
- Visit www.report-it.org.uk
- Visit www.gaydar.co.uk or www.gaydargirls.com and speak to the LGBT Liaison Officers under the profile name Villagepolicing.
- Visit your nearest police station.
- Visit the Partnership Community Safety Team (Hate Crime) at 162 North Street, Brighton BN1 1EA
New text service to fight hate crime!
A new text service launched at Pride 2007, offering an alternative way for the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) community to report hate crime, is one of the first of its kind in the country.
Anyone wishing to report an LGBT hate crime can now simply text the word
'REPORT' - along with an explanatory message (saying what happened, to who, where, when, etc) - to
60060. The information is then viewed by LGBT Community Liaison Officers at Sussex Police and the Community Safety Team. Anyone reporting an incident receives a reply by text advising that the message had been received. The reply also advises people to visit the www.whereyoufitin.com website and to dial 999 in an emergency.
All texts are charged at the service provider standard rate with no further charge for the reply text and all information is held in the strictest confidence. The service is a simple and convenient way of reporting incidents and passing on information.
The scheme forms part of a ground breaking new initiative of partnership working between Sussex Police, the Community Safety Team and various LGBT community organisations in the fight against LGBT hate crime.
What is the Partnership Community Safety Team?
The Partnership Community Safety Team (PCST) is a partnership between Brighton & Hove City Council, Sussex Police, Brighton & Hove Racial Harassment Forum and the LGBT community. PCST provides support and advice through a comprehensive casework and advocacy service for people experiencing homophobic or transphobic motivated harassment, crimes or incidents. If you would like to report an incident or receive some support or advice, a confidential meeting can be arranged with the PCST Hate Crime Development (LGBT) Officer either in the office, at home or at an appropriate venue of your choice. We also work with other agencies to help resolve your situation. Please call our Hate Crime Team on 01273 294646.
Where can I air my views regarding LGBT issues?
Spectrum is Brighton & Hove's LGBT Community Forum, working to promote equality and improve services for LGBT people. It hosts 6-monthly open meetings on LGBT community safety and a number of working groups addressing key safety concerns. For more information you can visit www.spectrum-lgbt.org, email info@spectrum-lgbt.org or telephone 01273 723123.
Personal Safety
Both Sussex and the city of Brighton and Hove are generally very safe places to be in. Brighton & Hove prides itself on being a cosmopolitan city and welcoming to a diverse mix of people. However, regardless of your sexual orientation or gender identity, it is important to be aware of your safety and your environments. Here are a few suggestions on how to be more safety conscious:
- Try to leave pubs, clubs and cafes in groups (more than two people if possible). If you leave with somebody you have only just met, introduce them to someone else you know. Make sure that the person you are leaving with knows that others are aware you are leaving together.
- Trust your instincts - if you think that something is wrong, remove yourself from the situation.
- Try to stay in well-lit areas where possible.
- Take the most direct route and try to stay within areas where other people are still around.
- Look and sound confident, even if you don't feel it.
- Walk as if you know where you are going.
- Stay Alert! Awareness is your best self-defence.
- Try not to walk alone. If you have to, be especially aware of potentially dangerous places - badly lit streets, dense shrubbery, alleyways, hidden doorways, etc.
- If you are followed from a gay friendly venue, and are concerned for your safety, return to the venue. Door staff and bar staff are there for your protection.
- Have your keys in your hand when you reach home or your car.
- Keep money for taxis. The expense is worth it.
- Carry a personal alarm, and use it!
Safety in Brighton & Hove:
St James Street – When leaving venues, try and do so in a group and not alone. Try to avoid dark side streets which are not as busy and take a direct route home.
West Street – There are often reports of violent crime in this area, specifically during busy times such as weekends and some evenings. If you are not socialising in this area, then it may be wise to avoid walking home through West Street if possible, especially during the early hours of the morning.
North Street - North Street is relatively safe as long as you are walking purposefully away from bars and clubs. During the peak social times this area is well policed and should you have any concerns you can always approach one of the officers there.
Taxis – Avoid using ‘Pirate’ private cars that may be posing as legitimate cabs. There have been reports of excess fares or other illegal offers, as well as implied threats from such drivers. Always use the licensed taxis (white with turquoise green bonnets and boots) that are plentiful in the city centre late at night. You can also use licensed radio cabs and pre-book by phone.
If you do use a private hire taxi make sure it’s a recognised firm. Keep a note of taxi telephone numbers on your mobile phone. Make sure they have a taxi registration place and that it has the details of the cab, especially the registration number of the vehicle. If it is a private hire cab it should have the company name and phone number on the side. For any cab you can check to see a driver’s ID card. Make a note of the name and number of the driver and the vehicle’s registration number should you have any complaints.
Cruising areas – There are certain areas within Brighton & Hove (as well as some other Sussex towns) that are classed as ‘cruising areas’. These are places where some people go in order to meet others for sex, either at that location or moving on to somewhere else. They can often be in badly lit, quiet, secluded areas.
Most of these areas are best avoided. At times muggings, sexual assaults and even more serious crimes have been reported.
