Gay liaison officers join police

Suffolk police has appointed 14 gay liaison officers to show the force's "commitment to diversity".

The officers will be based across the county and will offer advice on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) matters.

Suffolk police said hate crimes against LGBT people were under-reported.

The new officers' jobs were aimed at banishing the "history of distrust by members of the gay community", a police spokesman said.

Rod Flory, diversity officer for Suffolk police, added: "I see the appointment of gay liaison officers as one of the ways that we can get the message out to LGBT people that Suffolk police is here for all the people of Suffolk."