Minister wants police involved in Pride

The actions of certain officers have caused 'long lasting damage' between the gay community and police. 

That's the admission from Chair of Isle of Pride Clare Barber following a letter published by Chief Constable Gary Roberts at the weekend.

In it, he apologised for the actions of some officers prior to homosexual acts being decriminalised on Island in 1992. 

She acknowledges responses to the letter have been mixed, however she thinks the majority have been in favour as some believed it 'would never happen'.

She now believes the priority is to 'help as a charity' with the healing process, so people within the LGBTQ+ community feel they can go to the police for support. 

With just days until the Island's Pride Festival, Mrs Barber would like to see the police involved:

There was a police presence at last year's festival, it was in a professional capacity.

This year, Clare says an invitation has been extended to officers:

The Pride festival takes place at the Villa Marina this Saturday (August 13).