West Midlands Police Acting Chief Constable Scott Green has issued a formal apology to the LGBTQ+ community for historic mistreatment, admitting that past laws were wrongly used to target gay and bisexual men. The apology, released during Pride month, has been hailed as a landmark by campaigners after years of lobbying by Birmingham Pride and other groups.
Apology Details and Context
In a strongly worded letter, Mr Green expressed “sincere and whole-hearted” regret for policing practices that he said ruined lives and eroded trust. He wrote: “I recognise laws were historically wrongly used to proactively target members of the LGBTQ+ community, in particular gay and bisexual men, and that this ruined lives, having a lasting negative impact. This was completely wrong.”
Mr Green added that people “did not feel they could be open to be who they were or about the people they loved for fear they would be arrested and sent to prison.” He said he had been “deeply saddened and moved” by accounts of trauma shared during recent engagements with community members and the force’s own LGBTQ+ network.
Historical Background
Homosexuality was partially decriminalised in England and Wales in 1967, but enforcement continued aggressively in the 1970s and beyond. Undercover operations, raids on meeting places, and prosecutions for gross indecency persisted well into later decades, contributing to a climate of fear long after legal reforms. Full equalisation of the age of consent did not come until 2000.
The West Midlands force, which polices Birmingham and surrounding areas—one of the UK’s largest and most diverse police regions—has faced mounting pressure over its past record. Campaigners, including the Peter Tatchell Foundation, had repeatedly called for an apology, pointing to decades of proactive enforcement of laws criminalising homosexual acts.
Reactions from Campaigners
Lawrence Barton, director of Birmingham Pride, welcomed the move as “incredibly moving and vital.” Mr Barton has personally lobbied multiple chief constables over the years, describing past treatment of some gay and bisexual men as “disgraceful.”
Mr Green, who became acting chief constable in January, said he took personal responsibility for the force’s past, present, and future. He stated: “While I cannot right the wrongs of the past, I can offer my sincere regret.” He stressed the apology was not about criticising individual officers but about organisational accountability.
Commitments and Future Actions
The letter commits West Midlands Police to “policing without fear or favour,” rejecting differential treatment based on protected characteristics. Mr Green highlighted rising hate crime reporting and specialist oversight for investigations, while urging more victims to come forward. He pointed to internal progress, including the force’s LGBTQ+ staff network and a Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Strategy.
The apology arrives amid broader national conversations about trust in policing. Mr Green referenced recent incidents elsewhere in the country that exposed risks to community cohesion in a polarised society. He said: “Crime is crime, regardless of colour, creed or any other protected characteristic. We are here to protect you.”
Broader Context
West Midlands Police has previously apologised to Black communities for historic racist victimisation. This latest step brings it in line with more than 20 other UK forces that have issued similar LGBTQ+ apologies.
Mr Green concluded by praising the bravery of those who shared their experiences and calling for continued collaboration. He wrote: “This is not simply words of apology but a heartfelt desire... to proactively build a positive relationship with the LGBTQ+ community.” The development has been celebrated by Pride organisers as a significant step towards rebuilding trust, though some campaigners will be watching closely to see how commitments translate into day-to-day policing.
