Somerset Police
Somerset Police are part of a larger Police Service called "Avon and Somerset Police", which covers not only part of the Intercom area (Somerset, North Somerset, Bath & North East Somerset) but also large areas that Intercom does not cover: Bristol, Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire.
The Avon and Somerset Police website is http://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk. Their main switchboard is 0845 456 7000. In an emergency, especially where life is at risk, simply phone 999. Their Diversity pages are at http://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/diversity/.
Local Diversity Officers
We hear from our colleagues in a local LGBT organisation in Somerset that there are excellent local Diversity Officers in the County, and that their services to people affected by phobic crime are first-class. We aren't sure about North Somerset or Bath and North East Somerset. All information gratefully received.
Policies
(Avon and Somerset police, please tell us if any of this needs correcting. And do tell us when any of it changes! And any LGBT community groups who aren't in touch with us, do tell us what your experiences have been around crime-prevention and the reporting and handling of incidents.)
Crime & Disorder Reduction Partnerships
When it comes to preventing phobic crime, we have to look at the local Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships ("the CDRPs"). There is one of these for each local government district. They include local government, the police, health, probation, the drug and alcohol action team, and other public authorities. They have not been very active on phobic crime issues, so far, but we believe the very important new Regulations prohibiting indirect and direct discrimination in the provision of goods and services may have a positive effect (these came into force on 30 April 2007, and high time too).
The Force Diversity Co-Ordinator tells us (June 2011) that Somerset has a Strategic Partnership Against Hate Crime, and Independent Advisory Groups that act as a resource and challenge in respect of LGBT and other diversity issues. Thnere is also a Force-wide Equality Advisory Group.