BANKIES who are part of the LGBT community will be protected from any possible hate crime, insist police.

The liaison officer for the area trained on issues facing the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual community issued the assurance after the attack against at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, last month.

PC David Holmes said everyone needed to work together to make sure individuals and groups don’t feel marginalised.

He said: “I am pleased to be carrying out this role and encourage anyone who has been a victim of hate crime or witnessed hate crime to report it to the police.

“In the wake of Orlando, I can understand some may feel a need for reassurance and that is my job if any member of the community has concerns.”

Research shows LGBT crime is under-reported so Police Scotland trained officers in each area to be a go-to point for any help.

The instruction, carried out by the charity Equality Network on behalf of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, is hoped to ensure the community can report hate crime if they experience it.

Speaking after the attacks in Florida, A spokesperson for the force said they remain committed to ensuring the safety of the public, particularly LGBT members.

They said: “There is no place in a diverse and multi-cultural Scotland for those who promote hatred, and Police Scotland will not tolerate any attempt to target communities by misguided individuals or groups.”  “We have strong relationships with LGBT communities across the country and would encourage anyone who has become a victim, or witness to any hate crime, to contact the police and report the incident.”

Police Scotland had previously been named Stonewall Scotland’s most improved employer, moving from 119th place in 2015 to 83rd on their workplace equality index.

Scott Cuthbertson of the Equality Network said: “We know too many LGBT people are the victims of hate crime, but we also know that many, for whatever reason, still do not report hate crimes. We want to change that.   “That’s why we are pleased to be working so closely with Police Scotland, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal service and other criminal justice agencies to provide training on LGBT issues and to work together to remove the barriers to reporting a hate crime.”

Anyone with concerns can contact PC Holmes through the non-emergency 101 number.