THE head of Cheshire Police says he will ‘seek to explore’ concerns around historic homophobia by officers of his force.

Chief Constable Mark Roberts says he ‘recognises the issues’ raised by veteran LGBT+ and human rights activist, Peter Tatchell, in a letter sent to police bosses across the UK on Thursday, August 17. 

The letter seeks an apology from chief constables for ‘witch hunts’ conducted by police officers which ‘wrecked the lives’ of LGBT+ people, describing them as ‘often abusive’ and ‘threatening’.

The letter forms part of the Peter Tatchell Foundation's Apologise Now campaign, and starts with an acknowledgement of current progressive attitudes toward the LGBT+ from police forces around the country. 

In the letter, Mr Tatchell said: “In the past, your force, and many other forces, devoted massive and disproportionate resources to hunt down LGBT+ people for consenting behaviour that harmed no one.

"This zealousness went way beyond mere law enforcement.

“While you are not responsible for past wrongs, you are head of the force that witch-hunted us and wrecked LGBT+ lives. 

“I would respectfully request that you put the past behind us by apologising to the LGBT+ community so that we can move forward together.   

“We do not expect an apology from the police for enforcing historic homophobic laws.

"What we are requesting an apology for, is the often abusive and threatening way those laws were enforced - ways that would be deemed illegal and unacceptable today.”

Mr Tatchell goes on to list chief constables who've already apologised for the alleged historic homophobia, which includes Metropolitan Police boss, Sir Mark Rowley; South Yorkshire’s top officer, Laura Poultney; and Sussex Police leader, Jo Shiner.

In a statement released by Cheshire Police on Wednesday, August 23, Chief Constable Mark Roberts fell short of an apology, but instead said he would ‘seek to explore the issues raised in a bespoke fashion'.

He said: “We have a positive relationship with our LGBT+ network and wider community in Cheshire.

We meet regularly with members of the community, ensuring that their voices are heard and that, alongside other networks and communities, they can continue to influence, educate and shape our approach to policing. 

“Policing is constantly evolving, but one thing that remains consistent is our approach to ensuring that all communities within Cheshire feel safe and supported.

“The letter from Peter Tatchell has been sent to all forces and raises concerns from a national perspective.

“We recognise the issues raised and will seek to explore them in a bespoke fashion with our Cheshire LGBT+ communities.”