West Mercia Police come out for Worcester’s annual OutSaucy event

The Positive Action team at West Mercia Police, along with the Police Crime Commissioners Office, attended Worcester’s second annual OutSaucy event held at the Swan Theatre.

The event is run each year by the LGBTQ community group Out2gether, whose aim is to bring ‘Friendship, Support and Community’ for the LGBT+ community in Worcester, as well as Worcester Theatres’ Saucy Events, who through theatre and performance spread messages and start conversations around LGBTQ+ issues.

The Positive Action Team managed a stall where they were able to engage with members of the LGBTQ + community, give crime prevention advice and provide some personal safety alarms to attendees. They were also able to chat freely around LGBTQ+ experiences with the Police and encourage an open dialogue around the barriers that are preventing members of the community from reporting crime, engaging with us and getting involved with recruitment.

PC Rebecca Howell who attended the event, said “The team took a lot away from the event and were impressed with the number of groups and projects for the LGBTQ+ community in Worcestershire. One for instance, called ‘Sugar Daddys’, is a city centre café that acts as a daytime safe space for members of the community. Additionally, there are quiz’s, youth groups, brunches, family afternoons and much more for members of the community to get involved in.”

Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion said: “It’s amazing to see so many groups from Worcestershire’s LGBTQ+ community coming together to celebrate friendship and support.

“Events like this give people a safe space to chat freely about their experiences with the police. As the voice of the public in policing, it is invaluable to hear feedback from communities who often feel marginalised."

“As a society we need to do better. We all have a part to play to break down entrenched societal barriers to empower everyone, regardless of individual differences, to have their voice not only heard but taken seriously.”

The event also included a tribute to Brianna Ghey, a transgender girl who was murdered in a public park on the 11th of February. Poems dedicated to Brianna were read by those who attended, and it was clear that the community was deeply affected and saddened by her loss.

Rebecca added: “The day was a great success, as we were able to introduce our Positive Action team. The team highlighted the support that they offer to applicants from LGBTQ+ backgrounds and requested to be invited to future events so they could continue to provide information and build better relationships with members of the local LGBTQ+ community.”

Issued by DP, Corporate Communications