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Kent's Homophobic Helpline - 0800 3289162
August 11, 2005 12:00 AM
A 24-hour free helpline for reporting homophobic hate crimes in Kent has been extended to cover the whole county. Previously only available in South East Kent, the service means victims of homophobic and transphobic crimes can report incidents via a dedicated telephone number.
Trained operators are on hand on the other end of the line to offer information and advice or refer the caller to other agencies if appropriate.
"It is a real achievement that we have been able to get this service set up and this is due in no small part to the work of our advisory group and the support of community safety partnerships," West Kent Police community liaison officer PC Nova O'leary told the local press.
"I would urge people to report incidents to the line, if we do not know things are happening we can do nothing about them."
Pc John Ansell, Maidstone and Malling Police community liaison officer, said: "This scheme has been running very successfully in south east Kent and I look forward to people in our area being given the same opportunity to report such incidents and be offered the support that the Homophobic Incident Line can give.
"We know that incidents against gay and transgender people can often go unreported to us."
To report an incident telephone 0800 3289162. Callers to the helpline will be treated confidentially and sensitively and do not have to give their name.
DELGA Secretary and a Kent Councillor, Andrew Reeves said: "This is a massive step forward for the Kent Police and I very much welcome this move.
"There are many people from the LGBT community in Kent and this will mean more crimes actually get reported."
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