Avon and Somerset chief apologises for treatment of LGBT+ people

Sarah Crew is the seventh chief constable to join the campaign

A chief constable has apologised for her force's past treatment of the LGBT+ community.

Sarah Crew issued the apology on behalf of Avon and Somerset Police as part of Peter Tatchell Foundation's #ApologiseNow campaign.

The campaign, which began in June, aims to build better relationships between the LGBT+ community and police forces.

Peter Tatchell praised Ms Crew's apology, describing it as "a proactive initiative to get things even better".

Avon and Somerset Police is the seventh force to engage with the campaign.

It invites chief constables to apologise for formerly enforcing the law in illegal and abusive ways, including raiding gay bars, insulting members of the LGBT+ community and targeting individuals.

Apologising on behalf of her force, Ms Crew said: "Our role in this has undoubtedly led to significant hurt, pain, and anger, which has damaged our relationship with LGBT+ people and reduced their trust and confidence in us.

"I hope that by acknowledging the hurt we have caused in the past, we can start to rebuild our relationship with LGBT+ communities in Avon and Somerset," she added.

The #ApologiseNow campaign was launched in June

Ms Crew said the apology has only just been issued because the force was consulting internally as well as with stakeholders in the community to ensure that a plan of action was put in place.

Next year, the force plans to "start a conversation" to improve policing in the local area, which will involve working closely with members of the community.

She said the apology was a response to Mr Tatchell's request but also a recognition of a first step, of acknowledging this past and to start talking about moving forward.

"Rather than us moving forward alone, I think it would be much more effective to move forward together," she added.

Mr Tatchell said: "What struck me about the apology from the chief constable of Avon and Somerset Police was that it was very forthright, very clear and unambiguous.

"It was a very clear acknowledgement that wrongs were done."

He also said he was confident that the force will honour their commitments.

"It's not about shaming and naming, it's about building better relations so that LGBT people can be served with equality and respect and can receive the proper protection of the law when they are victimised," he added.