Lincolnshire Police’s Chief Constable Chris Haward has defended the force’s decision to light up the HQ building in Nettleham in rainbow lights, which he said “wasn’t a costly one”, amid criticism from some who said it was a ‘waste of taxpayers money’.
February marks LGBT+ History Month and as part of Lincolnshire Police’s commitment to celebrating equality, diversity and inclusion, they announced a change to the usual white lighting to cast the rainbow flag across the HQ building this month.
Although many complimented the force for the idea, the announcement was met with backlash from others on Twitter and Facebook, including Kay Matthews who said: “Glad to see you have so much extra money to use on lights. It’s great to see you aren’t wasting this money on actual police work. Woke gone mad.”
February marks #LGBTHM22 which is something we celebrate both within the force and with our local communities.
Joe McAndrew said: “Lincolnshire Police’s job is to police and not to offer opinion on anything but the implementation of the law.
“To think that someone within Lincolnshire Police, an organisation funded by tax payers, is wasting tax payers money to indulge in the never ending nonsense at a time of cut backs is staggering.
“Even LGBT (or whatever they call themselves) don’t give a t**s about your light show gimmick. In short, turn them off, stop tweeting c**p and do what we pay you to do!”
RE Parks said: “For an hour, a night, a week or the month? Do you know we are all struggling to pay our energy bills and that we pay our energy bills too? Not a good example for us to reduce energy consumption?”
In response to the criticism, Chief Constable Chris Haward issued a statement which he believes should “hopefully answer some of your questions and concerns”.
The Chief Constable said: “Firstly, our decision to light up Police HQ wasn’t a costly one and was simply a change to the usual white lighting to cast the rainbow flag across the building this month.
“It didn’t mean a reduction of service anywhere else, and it certainly didn’t mean that we dedicated frontline officers to the task so other incidents (crimes) weren’t dealt with.
“What it did mean, I hope, is that our LGBT+ communities and staff in Lincolnshire will see and understand our dedication to them and how we want to listen, help, understand, and support.”
Lincolnshire Police’s Chief Constable Chris Haward issued a statement on the matter.
Part 2 of Chief Constable Chris Haward’s statement.
Support for the move came from people across Lincolnshire. Lindsey Hart said: “So I’m assuming that the couple of people that have either 🤣 or 😡 have no respect to who people are.
“What’s it matter, love is love. And just for the record. I am straight. But my 16 year old daughter is Bisexual. And I wouldn’t want her to chance. She happy now, better now she came out . WE SUPPORT YOU”
Kev Davidson said simply: “Looks great. Well done. Ignore the bigots.”
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Villagers in Fiskerton remain cautious yet optimistic in the face of potential flooding, a month after they were advised to evacuate following a considerable amount of rainfall.
Several residents have continued to vigilantly monitor the River Witham’s water levels, prepared with sandbags outside their homes as a precaution after Storm Babet damaged two sections of the riverbank. But, despite the looming threat, there is a prevailing sense of confidence among the community, suggesting that further flooding is unlikely.
News that a £165,000 improvement project on the Handley Monument in Sleaford will commence early next year has been supported by local residents, who feel it is a much needed addition to the town centre, but it hasn’t come without its fair share of criticism.
North Kesteven District Council unveiled its plans for the historic Handley Monument in Sleaford, with a view to improving the surrounding area and also lighting up the monument to attract more attention to its role in the town’s history.
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