Police will be flying the flag for gay rights at Hindlip Hall

The Sexual Offences Act was passed on July 27, 1967, and although it mainly related to men, it was the first stepping stone in paving the way for equal rights for the LGBT+ community.

In celebration of this milestone, a rainbow flag will be flying at full mast above Hindlip Hall, Worcester, as a beacon for West Mercia Police's commitment to the LGBT+ communities.

There have been many achievements within West Mercia Police in recent years, including the LGBT Independent advisory group that was established in 2010. And who are currently seeking new members.

In 2007 a Rainbow Employee Network was set up to provide a support group for LGBT+ officers, staff and volunteers. Following the success and achievements it has presented, it is currently being reorganised into a Warwickshire and West Mercia alliance wide network.

Detective Sergeant Stuart Hinton, vice-Chair of the network, said: "As this year marks the 50th anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexuality, I am particularly pleased that the chief officers have wholeheartedly agreed that the West Mercia Police rainbow flag will be flown at Hindlip Hall on Thursday.

"This is a visible reminder to how society and the police have moved on since 1967, and how attitudes have truly changed in the 25 years I have been a police officer.

"We now have a more representative police service that wants to hear about the things that affect the LBGT communities in Warwickshire and West Mercia.

"We can never be complacent and we still have more to do to encourage reporting and tackling hate crime within our communities.

"Tackling hate crime is a priority for West Mercia Police. We know that on a national and local level hate crimes are underreported and are committed to ensuring all victims have the confidence to come forward and report any incidents or crimes to the police."

For more information relating to hate crime and how to report it, visit westmercia.police.uk/hate-crime.