[ad_1]
Ethan Stables convicted of plotting an attack on a gay pride event
The move by Cheshire Police comes as reports of hate crime have more than doubled in recent years, especially towards the transgender community. The cost of the paint job is “quite minimal” but the aim is to give a “huge impact” on the community.
Deputy chief constable Julie Cooke said: “Cars are there in the communities on normal policing patrol just to show the community that we want you to come forward…
“It is there to try and give confidence to our LGBT+ community, but also to other under-represented groups.”
However, critics have lashed out at the cars – which have been described as “hate crime cars” – claiming they should be focussing on “real” issues.
Peter Whittle, who served as the leader of the new Brexit Alliance in the London Assembly, said the rainbow cars “hasten the collapse of confidence” in the police.
Police under fire for rainbow squad cars (Image: Getty)
Police under fire for pride cars (Image: Getty)
The openly gay politician tweeted: “This is to ‘give confidence to our LGBT community.’
“What rubbish. In fact these idiots with their infantile cars just hasten the collapse of confidence in their ability or indeed desire to fight growing lawlessness and violence.”
Former police officer and founder of campaign group Fair Cop, Harry Miller, told the Telegraph: “We don’t see the Met with special cars for knife crime, even though the number of stabbings in London is appalling.
“The problem is that the second that you see a rainbow car, you know that it is a police force that has made its mind up about some very contentious issues.
READ MORE: Girl, 4, ‘seriously injured’ after falling from moving car
Police during London Pride 2019 (Image: Getty)
“You no longer see a police car or a police officer who is there to support everyone, from all political persuasions, without fear or favour.
“They have literally tied their colours to the mast and painted their cars with their political leanings.”
Others echoed Mr Whittle’s comments with many saying they do not know what the police aim to achieve by doing this.
One person commented: “I’m not sure what they hope to achieve by this, the police are not there to be your friend or to promote the newest political trend, they are there to arrest you if you break the law.
DON’T MISS
Man dies after brutal knife attack – police launch murder probe [INSIGHT]
Nightclub horror as clubber is stabbed to death in Birmingham [REVEAL]
Innocent Huddersfield couple targeted with ‘paedo’ graffiti [COMMENT]
Police with Pride (Image: Getty)
“Does this change that relationship? Are they going to arrest fewer LGBT lawbreakers?”
Someone else said the new vehicles look like an “ice cream van”.
They said: “Had the message been about domestic abuse child abuse or knife crime…
“This looks like a ice cream van gives the impression our priority is not serious crime.”
Police march during Pride events (Image: Getty)
Others branded the paint job a waste of money, with another person saying it is “woke horses**t”.
Someone else commented: “Seriously, can you imagine this, turning up at a fatal road traffic accident, FFS, I despair.”
Another added: “As a gay man I find this offensive and unnecessary.
“Just get on with solving crimes, perhaps like burglary which are barely resolved.”
Pride police car (Image: PA)
Others said the police should be spending resources on “appropriate measures to fight crime”.
They said: “What on earth is this country coming to… spend the resources on appropriate measures to fight crime!
“Whoever sanctioned this waste of money should be demoted, get back out on streets and make a real difference!!!”
[ad_2]
