Merseyside Police has made a number of arrests following recent incidents of homophobic and transphobic hate crime in Liverpool city centre, and has re-affirmed its commitment to protecting LGBT+ people in Merseyside.

Superintendent Sarah Kenwright said: “Over the past few weeks there have been a number of appalling hate crimes targeting people because of their sexual orientation and gender identity in our city centre, and the injuries and abuse inflicted have shocked and rightly angered many, including everyone at Merseyside Police.

“We have made several arrests and are working tirelessly to find all those responsible and bring them to justice.

“We at Merseyside Police stand against hate crime in all its forms and will not tolerate people being targeted because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

“Merseyside has a reputation for being a welcoming, friendly place and there is no place here for hate crime. Everyone should be able to go about their lives without the fear of being subjected to any kind of abuse based on their sexuality or gender identity, and we are absolutely committed to maintaining the right of all our communities to be treated with fairness, dignity and respect.

Supt Kenwright added: “June is Pride Month and these incidents show why it’s so important that we support Pride and say loud and clear that we stand against abuse and violence towards LGBT+ people and will not tolerate discrimination from or against the people of Merseyside.

“It is vital that we give our support to anyone who believes they have been subjected to abuse or left in fear because of who they are and I want to reassure the public that we will take action against those responsible.

“We work proactively with local authorities and other partner agencies to develop a greater understanding of, and build trust within, the communities being targeted by hate crime and the public can play a crucial role in spotting hate crime and telling us about it.

“I would urge any victim of hate crime in Merseyside to please come forward. We have officers and staff dedicated to protecting minority groups who will make sure you will be supported at every step as sensitively as possible. We will always take reports of hate crime extremely seriously and we will do everything in our power to ensure those responsible for such incidents are dealt with robustly.

“Our Hate Crime Co-ordinators can draw on a wealth of experience and expertise to provide effective and above all sensitive and appropriate support for victims. They also educate people on the impact of hate crime, going into schools and speaking to young people, and talking to perpetrators in order to prevent further offending.

“Everyone has a role to play in tackling homophobic, biphobic and transphobic hate crime, in educating future generations and eliminating it from society. We take our role in this extremely seriously and call upon all sections of society to stand with LGBT+ people and state very clearly that these incidents will never be tolerated.”

If you have witnessed a hate crime, or have any information, please contact Merseyside Police social media desk via Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook Merseyside Police Contact Centre. You can also call 101.

If, for any reason, you do not wish to the report to the police, the independent charity Stop Hate UK to run a 24/7 confidential helpline for all victims of hate crime on 0800 138 1625 or www.stophateuk.org. You can also download the Stop Hate UK reporting app on Google Play or the Apple App Store

Across Merseyside, we also have a number of third party reporting centres including fire stations, citizens advice bureaus and hospitals.

Dedicated support for victims of hate crime is also available through the Victim Care Merseyside service delivered by Citizens Advice. They can be contacted at lgbthatecrime@caliverpool.org.uk or by calling 0151 522 1400 ext. 5006.

I have asked this question numerous times without acknowledgement, IF you are assaulted do you get asked your sexual orientation before a response from the Police is actuated if YES it's a disgrace if NO why do they have to re-affirm their commitment to one section of society WE ALL should receive the same response if reporting an assault either physical or verbal.

Originally Posted by Little Londoner

if NO why do they have to re-affirm their commitment to one section of society WE ALL should receive the same response if reporting an assault either physical or verbal.

Do we really have to go through this rigmarole every time you ask this question, every time a similar article is posted on here?
It’s because members of the LGBT community are more likely to be the victim of hate crime, yet least likely to report it to the Police. Four out of five hate crimes go unreported.
Do calm down and untwist your rainbow knickers.

Originally Posted by donkey22

Do we really have to go through this rigmarole every time you ask this question, every time a similar article is posted on here?
It’s because members of the LGBT community are more likely to be the victim of hate crime, yet least likely to report it to the Police. Four out of five hate crimes go unreported.
Do calm down and untwist your rainbow knickers.

In this instance I have to agree with Little Londoner. We should be getting the same level of response from the Police regardless of sexual orientation. If your car was stolen, would you expect to be treated differently if you were a single person, or parked it in a driveway rather than a garage, or had two cars instead of one etc? The comparisons are endless if you start splitting the parameters of each crime before taking action.

Originally Posted by Blackrock

In this instance I have to agree with Little Londoner. We should be getting the same level of response from the Police regardless of sexual orientation.

Where in the article does it make any reference to the Police using different levels of response depending on the sexual orientation of a complainant? It doesn’t.
It’s about encouraging members of this community to report hate crime, which has been traditionally underreported.

Originally Posted by donkey22

Do we really have to go through this rigmarole every time you ask this question, every time a similar article is posted on here?
It’s because members of the LGBT community are more likely to be the victim of hate crime, yet least likely to report it to the Police. Four out of five hate crimes go unreported.
Do calm down and untwist your rainbow knickers.

I dont see why not? We have to go through the same "rigmarole" every time cycling is mentioned and you and you chum take us to a 100 replies.

Originally Posted by Blackrock

In this instance I have to agree with Little Londoner. We should be getting the same level of response from the Police regardless of sexual orientation. If your car was stolen, would you expect to be treated differently if you were a single person, or parked it in a driveway rather than a garage, or had two cars instead of one etc? The comparisons are endless if you start splitting the parameters of each crime before taking action.

We should get the same service, regardless of sexual orientation etc, but the issue here is that the victims have been targeted because of their sexuality!

Originally Posted by Sap33

We should get the same service, regardless of sexual orientation etc, but the issue here is that the victims have been targeted because of their sexuality!

That's fine, and I totally support it. I suppose the real issue is the way it has been stated or reported. It sounds like the Police are giving priority to the LGBT community whereas it should state it is giving its equal support to everyone regardless of their beliefs or orientation.

Originally Posted by Blackrock

That's fine, and I totally support it. I suppose the real issue is the way it has been stated or reported. It sounds like the Police are giving priority to the LGBT community whereas it should state it is giving its equal support to everyone regardless of their beliefs or orientation.

It does.
‘I would urge any victim of hate crime in Merseyside to please come forward. We have officers and staff dedicated to protecting minority groups who will make sure you will be supported at every step as sensitively as possible. We will always take reports of hate crime extremely seriously and we will do everything in our power to ensure those responsible for such incidents are dealt with robustly.’

Merseyside has a reputation for being a welcoming, friendly place and there is no place here for hate crime. Everyone should be able to go about their lives without the fear of being subjected to any kind of abuse based on their sexuality or gender identity, and we are absolutely committed to maintaining the right of all our communities to be treated with fairness, dignity and respect.

A welcoming friendly place ha that’s a laugh it’s as tough as nails around there, everyone SHOULD be able to go about their anti social upside down different lifestyles and lives without fear QUIETLY without waiving it in others faces that’s when they get bashed up, some things are abhorred by vast the majority that want to live with fairness dignity and respect and bring up kids without this nonesense .
Dignity, pride and respect don’t sit well with gay, there is no dignity, pride or respect in gay those words don’t apply it’s like saying there’s beauty in evil.
I have said it before gay men can offend other men by their whatever it is they do as it’s unnatural to a man, offensive even, gay women are just not offensive to anyone and trans are just weirdos to be laughed at. Going into schools telling kids it’s ok to be gay is just not right.
Just remember lgbt folk are in the vast minority, the VAST Minority, like any other oddity.
The police are right to protect everyone equally .

Originally Posted by MICK/GILLY

Merseyside has a reputation for being a welcoming, friendly place and there is no place here for hate crime. Everyone should be able to go about their lives without the fear of being subjected to any kind of abuse based on their sexuality or gender identity, and we are absolutely committed to maintaining the right of all our communities to be treated with fairness, dignity and respect.

A welcoming friendly place ha that’s a laugh it’s as tough as nails around there, everyone SHOULD be able to go about their anti social upside down different lifestyles and lives without fear QUIETLY without waiving it in others faces that’s when they get bashed up, some things are abhorred by vast the majority that want to live with fairness dignity and respect and bring up kids without this nonesense .
Dignity, pride and respect don’t sit well with gay, there is no dignity, pride or respect in gay those words don’t apply it’s like saying there’s beauty in evil.
I have said it before gay men can offend other men by their whatever it is they do as it’s unnatural to a man, offensive even, gay women are just not offensive to anyone and trans are just weirdos to be laughed at. Going into schools telling kids it’s ok to be gay is just not right.
Just remember lgbt folk are in the vast minority, the VAST Minority, like any other oddity.
The police are right to protect everyone equally .

I really hope you don’t have children. I’d imagine you’d raise them to be vile, homophobic, hateful bigots like yourself.
Whatever happened to live and let live?

Originally Posted by MICK/GILLY

Merseyside has a reputation for being a welcoming, friendly place and there is no place here for hate crime. Everyone should be able to go about their lives without the fear of being subjected to any kind of abuse based on their sexuality or gender identity, and we are absolutely committed to maintaining the right of all our communities to be treated with fairness, dignity and respect.

A welcoming friendly place ha that’s a laugh it’s as tough as nails around there, everyone SHOULD be able to go about their anti social upside down different lifestyles and lives without fear QUIETLY without waiving it in others faces that’s when they get bashed up, some things are abhorred by vast the majority that want to live with fairness dignity and respect and bring up kids without this nonesense .
Dignity, pride and respect don’t sit well with gay, there is no dignity, pride or respect in gay those words don’t apply it’s like saying there’s beauty in evil.
I have said it before gay men can offend other men by their whatever it is they do as it’s unnatural to a man, offensive even, gay women are just not offensive to anyone and trans are just weirdos to be laughed at. Going into schools telling kids it’s ok to be gay is just not right.
Just remember lgbt folk are in the vast minority, the VAST Minority, like any other oddity.
The police are right to protect everyone equally .

Homophobia, bigotry and hatred are also abhorred by the vast majority. As for dignity, pride & respect I have more in my little finger than you have in your entire body, your post is clear evidence of that.

Originally Posted by donkey22

I really hope you don’t have children. I’d imagine you’d raise them to be vile, homophobic, hateful bigots like yourself.
Whatever happened to live and let live?

Perhaps if you think about it, strange I know but if we all had the same outlook it would be a very boring life, what he is saying is that MOST people go about their business without forcing their sexual preferences down everyone's throat that is what gets backs up. I am in a minority I know but I don't mind what anyone does in the bedroom it's their business but I along with Mick/Gilly don't want to know. I take everyone at face value, obviously you don't. I worked with homosexuals and Lesbians and not once did I want to assault them or shun them but then they weren't trying to force their views on to everyone.

You are now going to come back with "how did you know they were Homosexual or Lesbian", because I met them with their partners who they introduced as their partner no need for dressing like the Sugar Plum Fairy to get a point over to people.

Originally Posted by donkey22

Where in the article does it make any reference to the Police using different levels of response depending on the sexual orientation of a complainant? It doesn’t.

Re affirming our commitment to ALL members of society would be a start including donkeys.

Vile Homophobic Hateful Bigot am I, that just shows what a brainless fool you really are
no wonder you latch onto your friend and his bike.

For your information I have served the Community without any favour to race/sexual orientation it wasn't a problem nor would it be I am entitled to an opinion I don't hate ANYONE (I'll discount Liverpool Supporters as deluded) but YOU OBVIOUSLY have a lot of hate in your make up.

Originally Posted by MICK/GILLY

Merseyside has a reputation for being a welcoming, friendly place and there is no place here for hate crime. Everyone should be able to go about their lives without the fear of being subjected to any kind of abuse based on their sexuality or gender identity, and we are absolutely committed to maintaining the right of all our communities to be treated with fairness, dignity and respect.

A welcoming friendly place ha that’s a laugh it’s as tough as nails around there, everyone SHOULD be able to go about their anti social upside down different lifestyles and lives without fear QUIETLY without waiving it in others faces that’s when they get bashed up, some things are abhorred by vast the majority that want to live with fairness dignity and respect and bring up kids without this nonesense .
Dignity, pride and respect don’t sit well with gay, there is no dignity, pride or respect in gay those words don’t apply it’s like saying there’s beauty in evil.
I have said it before gay men can offend other men by their whatever it is they do as it’s unnatural to a man, offensive even, gay women are just not offensive to anyone and trans are just weirdos to be laughed at. Going into schools telling kids it’s ok to be gay is just not right.
Just remember lgbt folk are in the vast minority, the VAST Minority, like any other oddity.
The police are right to protect everyone equally .

Same old responses from the same names, but this one really takes the bigot biscuit.

What a vile human being. Massive chunks of self-loathing, IMO.