LGBT history month is a month-long celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history to raise awareness and combat prejudice. To support the LGBT community, Essex Police, has delivered specialist training to local LGBT charities.

Pink Chix The Annexe, a new transgender wellbeing centre and The Feel Good Health & Wellness Centre for LGBT, have received specialist training from Essex Police Hate Crime Officers to open as Hate Incident Reporting Centres (HIRCs).

Volunteers at both centres have received training from Essex Police to become accredited Hate Crime Ambassadors. The volunteers were formally presented with their certificates in a special ceremony at the Pink Annexe, Wych Elm, Harlow on February 9.

The certificates were presented to the newly accredited Hate Crime Ambassadors by Chief Inspector Alan Ray, Harlow’s District Commander.

The centres provide an alternative place to report hate crime and hate incidents, either as a victim or a witness, when people feel uncomfortable reporting directly to the police. The centres will work in collaboration with the police and other partner agencies to provide support and advice on hate crime and join 28 other HIRCs across the county.

Hate Crime Ambassadors (HCAs) are members of the local community who raise awareness of hate crime and promote the reporting of hate crime. 50 HCAs ambassadors in Harlow have received training from Essex Police to equip them with the knowledge and information to recognise a hate incident or hate crime, take an effective report and provide advice and support.