Bosses at Oldham Pride claim they have been told that a Pride-themed police car has been banned from this weekend’s event due to concerns over ‘hate crime’.
Reverend David Austin, the Chair of Oldham Pride, said he was informed on Monday (July 18) that Greater Manchester Police has banned its rainbow liveried police car from taking part in Oldham Pride’s parade, alongside future Pride parades in the city-region.
Rev Austin said he was told the decision was made due to incidents of ‘hate crime’ against the police, including assaults and vehicle damage following attendance at Pride events. The Chair described the move as a ‘worrying development’ and a ‘home goal’ by GMP’s Chief Constable Stephen Watson.
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In correspondence seen by the M.E.N, Rev Austin is quoted as saying: “As Oldham Pride we are expressing concern at this recent u-turn in their policy and support for diversity and protection of those liable to receive 'hate crime'.
“We believe this is a home goal by the GM Chief Inspector as Oldham Pride has openly welcomed a police presence (uniformed and on the parade) here as reassurance of the tolerant and accepting nature of the Force to the LGBTQI community. If the police are afraid of openly attending Pride due to 'hate crime' - how much more those subject to gender /sexuality and other hate crime must feel - as the Police distance themselves from them!”
Rev Austin is said to have since raised concerns with the National LGBT+ Police Network, Mayor Andy Burnham and the leaders of Oldham Council over the decision. In a now-deleted post on the Oldham Pride Facebook Page, the Chair shared a further email received from Lee Broadstock, Chief Inspector and Co-Chair of the GMP Pride Network.
In the email, Mr Broadstock said the rainbow liveried police car, which was first used at Oldham Pride in 2015, is ‘no longer fit for purpose’. He said the ‘wearing of rainbow epaulettes or rainbow laces at Pride events’ had also been prohibited by Chief Constable Watson.
Mr Broadstock is quoted as saying: “As co-chair of the Pride Network, I met with Chief Constable Watson with regard to our continued Pride engagement and in particular Manchester Pride, CC Watson provided his authority for officers to march in uniform at Manchester Pride, and at other district prides and for the Rainbow flag to be raised at district Police HQ’s for specific prides, also an ongoing authority for the rainbow flag to be raised for IDAHOBIT.
“CC Watson has previously stated he does not permit the wearing of rainbow epaulettes or rainbow laces at Pride events, this was confirmed again in my meeting. CC Watson also confirmed that he did not support the use of the Police With Pride vehicle going forward, his view of vehicles is the same as for uniform standards.”
He added: “GMP and the Pride Network will continue to support and attend Pride events across GM, we will sadly no longer be using the Pride car, access to the vehicle itself is now very limited, and the livery is also no longer fit for purpose, and approval for a new set will not be granted. Officers from Oldham district will still be supporting the Oldham Pride event, community engagement will continue minus the car."
Councillor Louie Hamblett, who represents the Crompton ward, described the decision by GMP as 'counterintuitive' and threatened to 'drag policing backwards'. Cllr Hamblett said: “With a force now in special measures you would think they would want to be doing all they can to work with the community to rebuild trust and confidence in policing.
"Decisions like this from Chief Constable Watson seem counterintuitive and to drag policing backwards into its hard-line, unpassionate past. Supporting community groups goes hand-in-hand with active neighbourhood police work. Building good relationships with people means that police are more aware of what is going on locally, and have the knowledge and awareness to better combat crime that is affecting communities. This decision totally undermines that.”
Cllr Hamblett added: “I really sympathise with LGBTQ+ staff who will now feel they cannot show how proud they are to both work for GMP and be out as members of the community.”
Greater Manchester Police reaffirmed its support for the LGBTQ+ community, and said it has a long history of supporting Pride events across the city-region. The force said a police presence at Pride events was important and something that would only continue.
In a statement issued via Greater Manchester Police, Lee Broadstock, Chief Inspector of the Tameside District, said: "Greater Manchester Police has a good history of supporting and engaging with Pride events, having been involved in the supporting of the events for almost 20 years, and this has not changed.
“Events such as this are a fantastic opportunity for our officers to engage with the people of Greater Manchester and demonstrate our commitment to supporting those in the LGBTQ community and we will continue to do so, both in Oldham and other districts, using our GMP liveried cars and in our usual uniform. Tameside Pride for example took place last weekend, and officer engagement was very well received, with thanks for our attendance and support from the organisers.
“Having a presence at events like this shows the LGBTQ community that the police are inclusive, representative and keen to have a diverse workforce by actively seeking to encourage people to apply to join us. We will continue to engage and participate at Pride events across Greater Manchester throughout the summer.”
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