A FLAG showing police support for the gay community has sparked a row.

Some city-based officers have said they are unhappy at the appearance of the rainbow flag above Swansea Central Police Station, along with the base in Townhill.

They said a Welsh flag would be more representative of the people working for South Wales Police and that even a force flag would be more appropriate.

But a spokeswoman for South Wales Police defended the decision to fly the flag at some of its buildings and said it had done so to support Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender History month.

The Rainbow Flag will also be flown at the Bridgend headquarters site, along with Neath police station. But a Swansea police officer said that even homosexuals working in the force were against the decision to fly the flag.

He said: "There is not even a Welsh flag up but all police stations are being told they have to put up the gay flag.

"I have seen it at Townhill Police Station and also at Swansea Central Police Station.

"I have nothing against homosexuals but a lot of people have kicked off about it.

"I spoke to my gay colleague as to how he feels about the flag and even he's opposed to it."

He added: "There's no Welsh flag or South Wales Police flag — it's all about political correctness. There are more Welsh people working for South Wales Police than gays — why do they feel the need to have the flag up?"

But South Wales Police communities and partnerships Superintendent Liane Bartlett added: "The flags are a sign of our commitment to supporting the rights of every individual and our commitment to supporting our LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender) communities.

"Our force's aim is for the people of South Wales to live in an environment that is open and welcoming, and free from discrimination. The flags symbolise our pledge to our communities that we will tackle all crime, including any homophobic hate crime, and would encourage residents to report issues to us.

"South Wales Police has specialist staff in its Minorities Support Unit to deal with this type of crime and has dedicated Hate Crime Police Officers in Cardiff, Swansea, Rhondda Cynon Taff and Merthyr Tydfil, Bridgend, Vale of Glamorgan and Neath and Port Talbot divisions who provide ongoing support to victims."

She said if officers had any concerns they were more than welcome to raise them.

"Alongside the Assembly and other Welsh forces we have worked in partnership with charity Safer Wales to develop and launch a confidential hate crime self-reporting initiative online at www.saferwales.com, where members of the public can report hate crime confidentially and anonymously," she added.

"The flag is a symbol of inclusiveness. If officers or staff do have any concerns we would provide an opportunity to air views in relation to the subject as part of the force's commitment to diversity and equal opportunities."

elizabeth.perkins@swwmedia.co.uk