It’s one police patrol car you won’t be able to miss.

Greater Manchester Police have decked out a Hyundai patrol car in rainbow-themed livery in a bid to reach out to the region’s gay and lesbian community.

It has the words ‘police with pride’ painted on the bonnet and side doors along the colours of the rainbow flag, symbolising gay pride.

Police bosses say the car will help the force reach out to the city’s LBGT people, particularly during Manchester Pride parade in August.

It is part of a drive to tackle what is regarded as a significant under-reporting of hate crimes in gay communities.

Officers stress the police car won’t be attending hate crimes but will instead be encouraging more people to report incidents.

Chief Constable Sir Peter Fahy said: “One of the strengths of Greater Manchester is its diversity and the fact so many people have come here from different parts of the world and we have so many different lifestyles and backgrounds. This can create tensions when people are living so close to one another and there are different traditions and belief systems.

“On the other hand, it can never be right for this to be turned into harassment or violence, and for people to be targeted because of their race, religion, sexuality or any other personal characteristic. This car shows our commitment to taking hate crime seriously and encouraging victims to come forward.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd added: “I am very proud that Greater Manchester Police takes such a visible role at Manchester Pride. It sends an important message to Greater Manchester and the world that the service is committed to equality and supports the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people.

“Decking a police car out in rainbow colours isn’t just a colourful statement – it’s a bold one. It shows that GMP is on the side of equality. I also hope it will give confidence to any victim of hate crime to come forward and report it.”

More news from the Manchester Evening News

Find out what's happening where you live with our In Your Area section

Read the Manchester Evening News on your phone - download the Apple MEN App here, the Android MEN App here - and get the paper as an e-edition every morning by subscribing here