Homophobic complaints dismissed

Complaints of homophobia against eight officers from Devon and Cornwall Police have been dismissed by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

It investigated 16 separate allegations made in 2005 by a man from Helston, Cornwall.

The man said he was treated poorly and his experience was an example of the "inherently homophobic" attitude of the Devon and Cornwall force.

The allegations were not substantiated and no criminal offences considered.

The force said it had taken action to address nine recommendations made by the IPCC after its investigation following Malcolm Lidbury's comments.

"The constabulary has a strong commitment to ensuring our services are accessible to all sections of the community, and recognises that we need to listen to the concerns of members of our lesbian, gay and bisexual and transgender communities," a force spokesman said.

He added there had been "massive improvements" between such communities and the police in Cornwall and Devon in the past 10 years.