Huddersfield officer Pc Mark Carter concerned over homophobia

Nov 3 2009 By Neil Atkinson

“I didn't want to call for back-up and put other officers in danger because I didn’t like the insults they were throwing at me.

“But deep down I knew it was wrong.”

Yet, during the next job, when he attended the site of a stolen, abandoned car, he was approached by a member of the public who thanked him for publicising the fact he was gay.

“He shook my hand, looked me in the eye and said thank-you, and that meant a lot.”

A couple of years later, while on a train with one of his best friends, he arrested two men hurling homophobic and racist abuse to his fellow passengers.

Even though he was off-duty, he chased after one of them and pinned him down.

“I had been down to Brighton, had a lovely break and then I had to tackle these two idiots.

“One tried to run off so I ran after him. It must have looked pretty ridiculous, there I was sprinting down the platform wearing cut off jeans, a vest and a pair of flip flops.”

Pc Carter said, since he joined the police force five years ago, he had seen people’s attitude to homosexuality change for the better and attacks like the one against Pc Parkes were becoming less and less frequent.

He expressed the importance of educating young people when they are at school and talking to them about sexuality, so they can understand and accept people from all walks of life.

“Times have changed, people’s opinions are moving in a positive direction – these people should pat themselves on the back and encourage others to do the same.

“My thoughts are with the partner and family of my fellow officer Pc Parkes and I am sure the investigating team will be doing all they can to bring his attackers to justice.

“This is about standing up for what is right.”