Chester police to hold second gay community meeting

Sep 24 2008 Chester Chronicle

POLICE in Western Area are once again reaching out to the gay community in a bid to discover what issues they are facing.

Earlier this year Chester was the venue for the first LGBT (lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender) Community Action Meeting and, as the event proved successful, officers are set to host another meeting in October.

Sergeant Mandy Shaw, Chester’s LGBT liaison officer, said: “The last meeting was really well attended and it was pleasing to see so many people who were happy to engage with police.

“As a result of the meeting we were able to deal with several issues which were a cause for concern and, hopefully, at the meeting in October we will be able to see if the measures we have since put in place have had an effect.

“Of course, there may be other, new, problems facing the LGBT community which is why we need as many people as possible to attend at the Liverpool Arms on Northgate Street on October 14 at 7pm.”

She added: “We are making great efforts to address the concerns of all members of society, but we can only do this if they are willing to talk to us.

“The potential benefits of the Community Action Meetings are exciting and, if the first is anything to go by, will be a valuable tool for officers and residents to build relationships and devise lasting solutions to improve people’s quality of life.”

Although hosted in Chester the LGBT CAM is open to anyone from the Western Area and beyond. For further information contact Sgt Shaw by email at chester.inner.cat@cheshire.pnn.police.uk or by calling 0845 458 6384. This number has a voicemail facility and is regularly checked for new messages.