Evenin' all .. are you gay, my lad?

Lothian and Borders Police is to survey all its employees to ascertain their sexuality in an effort "to help offer better support to LGBT officers and workers, as well as help improve the force's image amongst members of the gay community"; it sounds like an interesting idea and may, perhaps, encourage gay members of the public to contact the police if their sexuality is an issue in any attacks that they suffer (I understand that homophobic attacks in certain parts of Edinburgh have been quite numerous in the recent past).

However, I could see problems for officers and staff who do respond if there is is not absolute discretion in the way the information generated is handled - whether the 'canteen culture' has entirely disappeared is highly questionable. I seem not to be alone with these worries.

(With acknowledgements to 'Dixon of Dock Green')