Police in Pride vow
POLICE have vowed to take a hands-on approach as Newcastle bursts into colour for this year’s Northern Pride Festival.
The city is preparing to host the biggest Pride Festival the region has ever seen this weekend and Northumbria Police say they will be “policing with pride.”
The event, which kicks off on Saturday, will be the 10th to be held in the city and tens of thousands of people are expected to visit.
Taking place at Nun’s Moor Park, there will be music from stars such as Alexandra Burke, S Club and Gareth Gates.
Police say they will be on hand to get involved in the festivities as they work hard to keep visitors safe.
On Friday evening a “Running With Pride” team of runners – including some of the force’s senior officers – will be taking part in an LGBT 5K run.
The following day, the blue light services will be hosting a Pride Breakfast at Newcastle Civic Centre.
Then, to finish off the weekend, officers will join the public and take part in the Pride Parade to show their support for the LGBT+ community.
Police and Crime Commissioner Dame Vera Baird QC will be supporting Northern Pride again this year and said it is a really important event for the region.
She said: “I am delighted that Northumbria Police are again actively supporting Pride 2018 – it is a great event and I hope the sun is shining.
“Pride is also an excellent opportunity for officers to engage with members of the LGBT+ communities to reinforce that we do not tolerate hate crime in Northumbria. We have a dedicated officers who can offer support and advice – we are on your side.”
Assistant Chief Constable Rachel Bacon is overseeing the policing operation for the festival and said the event always has a positive atmosphere.
She said: “Northern Pride is a fantastic event for the city and the wider region this year and it is going to be the biggest Pride event ever.
“There will be thousands of people in Newcastle this weekend for a celebration of the LGBT+ community and we love to play a part in that.
“It is very important for us to work with people who identify as LGBT+ so we can build relationships of trust and confidence in the local police service.
“Throughout the weekend we will have staff at a stall in Nun’s Moor Park to give the opportunity to speak to police about any issues.
“That could be for people who want to report a hate crime, ask about a career in the police or just have a chat about policing in their local community.
“We are here to listen to people’s ideas and views. Please come and speak to us – we are here for you.”
Police will host a Pride Stall where visitors will be able to speak to officers and find out more about how police support the LGBT+ communities.
In a public show of support the force will be flying both the rainbow and transgender flags at each area command police station and its headquarters, as well as on its social media accounts for the weekend.
To find out what police get up to over Pride weekend, follow Northumbria’s LGBT+ support association on Twitter at @NPLGBT.