<<< previous  Neil Kittle |
Neil Kittle believes such visits have made a real difference in eroding the suspicion some feel towards the police force. " In the past the only time people would see the police was if there was a problem," he says. "It's worked towards the police no longer being seen as faceless people. When you meet them you realise that they are human and people see them in a different light". Sgt Clabon acknowledges that the police have been slow to act in the past, and says that part of the CCO's role is to educate within the force as well. "The attitudes have changed no end", she says. "We can help our colleagues to think a bit more about what these people are suffering and what we can do to stop it happening, to prosecute people who are committing crimes." PC Lyn Bryan has recently taken over as Force Liaison Officer for the county. Her role involves monitoring homophobic crime centrally, and coordinating the response to it. She says the police are trying to set up as many points of contact for the public as possible. Living in isolation
However Sgt Clabon admits there is still a long way to go, with contact particularly difficult in more isolated rural areas. Neil Kittle suffered homophobic abuse when he was growing up. "I didn't feel there was anything I could do about it", he says. "The police station near me was only open twice a week and you were left feeling there was no option other than sticking it out". He feels that is changing, and that gay people can expect to get fairer treatment. Community Contact Officers work at police stations in:
Norwich
Great Yarmouth
North Walsham
King's Lynn
Thetford |
The police hope that with CCOs across the county, people will start to feel comfortable about contacting them. "In Norwich it's easy to get out into friendly places", says Sgt Clabon. "In the rural community we've got to make sure leaflets and literature are available where people can get easy access to them". She feels there is still a lot of work to be done with older gay people, who may not be part of the 'scene' but still encounter harassment. Sgt Clabon believes the new approach is working. "We are learning all the time. We make mistakes but we are learning from them, and hopefully we won't make them again". police contact numbers >>> | 
