GWENT Police are showing their support for Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) history month, by raising the rainbow flag at police headquarters. The force invited reporter Ben Frampton to interview a gay officer about what its like being a homosexual PCSO.

PSCO Dale Morris said an equality awareness month has made a "big impression" on gay and bisexual people working within the force.

The Maindee officer was speaking at the beginning of Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) history month, which takes place every February to celebrate the lives and achievements of the LGBT community.

PCSO Morris was out when he joined the force four years ago and is also the chairman of the Gwent Police Gay Support Network (GPGSN), established in 2002.

GPGSN has more than 20 members compared with just three or four two years ago, and also offers support to straight people who may have gay relatives and want information.

PCSO Morris said he has only encountered one problem while at the police, when he suffered some verbal abuse from a colleague: "That's what encouraged me to join the staff network, to get my confidence and to actively challenge people if I encountered it again, which I never have."

He said the person in question was dealt with accordingly, adding: "I've always had the support and backing, not only from colleagues, but from friends and senior members of staff. I've noticed a big change since I've been part of the network."

On Monday, police raised a flag outside the headquarters in Croesyceiliog to mark the month, the fifth year the flag has been raised by Gwent Police.

PCSO Morris, who lives in Newport and has a partner within the police force, said police attitudes towards people in the LGBT community have changed "dramatically" over the past ten years.

He added that initiatives like this not only offer support to people working in the force, but encourage gay people to report homophobic attacks as they may not have done previously through a fear of being ignored or outed.

People can now report these kinds of crimes anonymously.

Chief Constable Mick Giannasi said: "Flying the [rainbow] flag shows, in a small but visible way, our support and commitment to our diverse workforce. We hope to create an environment and where all staff feel comfortable and appreciated and work together towards a safer, more diverse police service."