Croydon police has appointed a full time liaison officer for the gay community.
David Kay, a Police Community Support Officer, took on the role of full time Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) Community Liaison in the middle of July.
PCSO Kay took over the role for PC Jeff Wade who worked on it part-time combining it with his position on the Fairfield Safer Neighbourhood team.
He said: "My role will be to engage with the LGBT Community and provide reassurance to those victims of crime and to assist and encourage more people from the LGBT community to come forward and have the confidence and trust in the police to investigate homophobic incidents.
"We estimate that still around 95 per cent of homophobic related crime goes unreported to police."
PSCO Kay will be linking with a number of LGBT groups in the borough, victim support, the council and schools and colleges.
Borough Commander, Chief Superintendent Mark Gore, said: "By having a full time LGBT Liaison officer in post PCSO Kay will be able to further enhance the relationship between the LGBT community and the local police of Croydon."
To contact PCSO Kay email david.j.kay@met.police.co.uk or call 020 8649 0288 or 0217.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article