Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Seccombe will be out engaging with members of the LGBT+ community at Warwickshire Pride this weekend.
This year is the 10th anniversary of Pride in Warwickshire and after being a virtual event for two years due the pandemic, the event returns to Leamington’s Pump Room Gardens.
Featuring live performances and entertainments on stage alongside a variety of stalls from community organisations, charities and traders, Warwickshire Pride has become a colourful celebration of LGBT+ life and culture.
This year, for the first time, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner will be among the stallholders and is welcoming everyone to come along and say hello to the Commissioner and his team in the morning, while Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Emma Daniell will be in attendance in the afternoon.
Mr Seccombe said: “I’m delighted to see Warwickshire Pride returning to its spiritual home in the Pump Room Gardens. It is a very enjoyable day out and I’m pleased that with the return to a live format my office can show its support by having a stand for the duration of the day.
“Events like Pride provide a focal point and a welcoming place for people who want to celebrate their sexuality and for the wider community to demonstrate how they can be allies, or simply have a fun and enjoyable day out.
“I’m really keen that everyone in Warwickshire feels safe and proud of who they are. No-one should fear of violence, intimidation or being made to feel less about themselves because of their sexuality. While there has been progress in tackling hatred and intolerance in our communities, I know there is still further work that needs to be carried out and I’m determined to see that change happen.
“It’s my job to hold the police to account on residents’ behalf and to work with partners for the benefit of victims of crime, so I want to hear people’s experiences of crime and policing to let us know what the biggest issues are, what works well and what needs improvement.
“It’s also a great opportunity to come and find out more about some of the services available to help victims of crime and the work that is ongoing to make Warwickshire a safer place for all. I look forward to seeing lots of people at Pride on Saturday, so do come along and say hello to the team at our stand.”
Warwickshire Pride takes place at the Pump Room Gardens in Leamington Spa on Saturday 20 August from 11am to 6pm. For more information about the event, visit www.warwickshirepride.co.uk/festival.
Photo by Cecilie Johnsen on Unsplash
