Gays and transexuals are to get a new voice in a police crackdown on homophobia.

A panel has been established for gays and transvestites in a bid to encourage them to come forward when they fall victim to crime.

Gay and lesbian officers will now be available on request, while other members of the Basildon division will receive training to help rid them of any prejudices.

Even nightclub doormen could be re-trained.

The new panel, which has been named the Focus Group, will take a multi-agency approach with membership.

It will include representatives from gay and lesbian groups, Basildon Council, the housing department and Victim Support. It plans to meet on a four-monthly basis.

Insp Gwynneth Williams of Basildon police is spearheading the project, which is a pilot for the whole of Essex.

She was handed the job of looking into police relations with lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transvestites and transexuals, back in January.

Since then, she has only received one report of harassment - a woman who runs a helpline had a concrete block thrown through her window.

She has also suffered verbal abuse.

Insp Williams said: "I think that's gross under-reporting. I have now drawn up a policy which tells officers how they should deal with these complaints to combat that problem.

"We will add sessions on the subject to our divisional training days.

"We are also looking at introducing training on homophobic issues to the Doorstaff Registration Scheme.

"I know some people feel bouncers discriminate against them."

She added: "We have already had our first panel meeting and at the start we were all treading on eggshells. Then they said: 'We won't call you names if you don't call us names'.

"It was a learning curve for all of us. But the gay and lesbian groups were really pleased someone had decided to get to grips with the problem."

TransEssex, one of the minority groups signed up for the Focus panel, is delighted.

The co-ordinator for the transvestites and transexuals support group said: "We just want to be treated the same.

"If a bloke walks into a police station in a frock and has just been beaten up, he should get the same consideration as everyone else."

Anyone who suffers harassment can contact Insp Williams at Basildon police on 01268 532212.

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