“We support events like Homotopia and hope people can build up the trust to come to us and tell us when things happen.

“We have a dedicated team of detectives in our Sigma unit waiting to investigate such crimes and build on the relationship we already have with the LGBT community.”

Cllr Warren Bradley, leader of Liverpool City Council, said: ‘’Homotopia is one of Liverpool’s great cultural success stories of the past decade. It has grown from a weekend event as part of the city’s culture bid into a month-long celebration with an ever-growing international reputation for ground-breaking work. This year’s festival boasts its best ever line-up and, in light of the recent attack on James Parkes, provides a timely opportunity for the city to demonstrate how much it values the positive role of the LGBT community in Liverpool.’’

Homotopia highlights this year include Booker short-listed author Sarah Waters, who will speak at FACT on Friday, and the premiere of a one- woman show about Carry On star Charles Hawtrey, Jiggery Pokery, at the Unity Theatre from November 11 to 14.

FOR more information on the festival and its programme, visit www.homotopia.net