After a controversial new report was been leaked by the Deputy Chief Constable of Lancashire Police Michael Cunningham to Police Review magazine. Several Police forces across England have now stopped their practice of arresting gay men and heterosexual couples who have sex in public. It is believed Greater Manchester Police is the first with Merseyside following suit.
Gay Rights Groups such as OutRage! and campaigners such as Peter Tatchell have long argued that police actions against gay men who meet for sex in public are homophobic and vilify the entire gay community for what is a largely unpolicable offense.
In the 21 page secret document he calls for his own and fellow police forces to stop their current crackdown on sex in public places, in particular the arrest of gay men who he claimed. "police actions at toilets and cruising grounds had alienated gay men". and as a result "Acts of suicide and self-harm by persons who may have been arrested, charged or come into contact with the police in such a situation have happened in various parts of the country," he said.
"It is not for the police to take the role of moral arbiter, the police role is to ensure that any complaints are dealt with fairly and professionally and that where individuals are engaged in lawful activity they may do so safely. "The impact of enforcement can also be severe and rarely resolves the community problems associated with the existence of a public sex environment.
"This impact can be extreme and can include humiliation, breakdown of relationships and the 'outing' of men living in an opposite sex relationship being perceived as 'gay.'"
Gay Rights Groups such as OutRage! and campaigners such as Peter Tatchell have long argued that police actions against gay men who meet for sex in public are homophobic and vilify the entire gay community for what is a largely unpolicable offense.
In the 21 page secret document he calls for his own and fellow police forces to stop their current crackdown on sex in public places, in particular the arrest of gay men who he claimed. "police actions at toilets and cruising grounds had alienated gay men". and as a result "Acts of suicide and self-harm by persons who may have been arrested, charged or come into contact with the police in such a situation have happened in various parts of the country," he said.
"It is not for the police to take the role of moral arbiter, the police role is to ensure that any complaints are dealt with fairly and professionally and that where individuals are engaged in lawful activity they may do so safely. "The impact of enforcement can also be severe and rarely resolves the community problems associated with the existence of a public sex environment.
"This impact can be extreme and can include humiliation, breakdown of relationships and the 'outing' of men living in an opposite sex relationship being perceived as 'gay.'"
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