Councillor aims a swipe at police after decision to withdraw rainbow car from Oldham Pride

An Oldham Liberal Democrat councillor has accused Greater Manchester Police of 'dragging policing backwards into its hard-line, unpassionate past' after he discovered that its rainbow liveried car had been pulled from appearing at Oldham Pride this year.

Crompton Lib-Dem Councillor Louie Hamblett recently received the news as a member of Oldham Pride festival committee.

Cllr Hamblett said: “With a force now in special measures you would think they would want to be doing all they can to work with the community to rebuild trust and confidence in policing.

"Decisions like this from Chief Constable Watson seem counterintuitive and to drag policing backwards into its hard-line, unpassionate past.

“Supporting community groups goes hand-in-hand with active neighbourhood police work.

"Building good relationships with people means that police are more aware of what is going on locally, and have the knowledge and awareness to better combat crime that is affecting communities.

"This decision totally undermines that.”

GMP and the Pride Network (its LGBT+ staff network) launched the world’s first rainbow liveried police car in 2015.

The car has previously been very well received across GM and other Prides.

In fact, the first use of the car was at Oldham Pride in 2015, just before it was used at Manchester Pride.

The co-chair of the Pride Network met recently with Chief Constable Watson to discuss continued Pride engagement.

Chief Constable Watson provided his authority for officers to march in uniform at Manchester Pride and at other district prides, and for the Rainbow flag to be raised at district Police HQs for specific prides.

However, Chief Constable Watson also confirmed that he did not support the use of the Police With Pride vehicle.

Officers from Oldham district will still be supporting the Oldham Pride event; community engagement will continue - minus the car.

Cllr Hamblett added: “I really sympathise with LGBTQ+ staff who will now feel they cannot show how proud they are to both work for GMP and be out as members of the community.”

The Chronicle has approached GMP for a response.

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