Sussex Police has long been supportive of the LGBT community in Brighton & Hove and has a dedicated team of Community Liaison Officers working closely with the general public, LGBT venues and organisations. The team operates from John Street Police Station and consists of PC Rachel Piggott and PC Rich Bridger, led by Sgt Alex Evans.

One of the key objectives of the team is to tackle homophobia and hate crime in the city, raising public confidence and awareness surrounding these crimes and increasing the number of people that report experience of hate crime and homophobia. They want a clear picture of people's experiences of hate crime including verbal abuse, physical abuse, threats, sexual abuse, letters throughout he post, offensive leaflets or posters, attacks on property or home and harassment.

In addition to taking part in LGBT events, such as Brighton Pride, National Student Pride, The Stonewall Equality Walk and LGBT History Month, they have also teamed up with THT South and their outreach service at Dukes Mound. You'll also find them working alongside organisations like the LGBT Switchboard, MindOut, Gender Trust and Allsorts. The team provides advice on keeping yourself safe during the Pride festival and also run monthly drop-in sessions in Kemp Town and Hove where all are invited for a coffee and a chat to talk through any concerns or to get advice.

You'll see Rich and Rachel regularly at bars and clubs around town, policing the streets around Brighton and, of course, marching with Gay Police Association colleagues in the Pride Parade.

If you experience Hate Crime or Homophobia and feel you are in any danger, then you should call 999 in the first instance. For information or advice, then call PC Rachel Piggott direct on 07766 997889 or PC Rich Bridger on 07717 785507. Alternatively, call the Police Station on 0845 607 0999 ext. 50418.