EVERYONE is safe on a night out in Bolton — regardless of their sexuality.

That is the message from police ahead of the International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) on Sunday.

Licensing officers and bar and club managers flew the rainbow flag in Nelson Square and Victoria Square this week to show solidarity to Bolton's LGBT community.

Officers and venues want gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people to feel welcome in Bolton town centre.

Many members of the LGBT community still travel to Manchester for nights out, an imbalance the police are keen to address.

Bolton Council is supporting the day, flying the rainbow flag over the library, and distributing flags to schools across the borough.

PC Andy Vernon, a licensing officer in Bolton, said: "Bolton town centre is, on the whole, a safe place to come to and we wanted to promote that.

"It doesn't matter who people are, they can come to Bolton and enjoy a good night out.

"And if people do encounter issues then bar staff and the police are there to support them.

"We felt by flying the flags it sends the message that we welcome everyone to Bolton town centre."

IDAHO was created in 2004 to draw attention to the violence and discrimination experienced by the gay community.

In a special report earlier this year, The Bolton News revealed concerns felt by the town's LGBT community, and reported that homophobic crime had more than doubled over the last 12 months.

There were 40 such hate crimes in the 12 months leading up to October, 2014 — up 135 per cent on the previous year, when there were only 17 incidents.

Police said that the reporting of such crime was "going in the right direction" but more work needed to be done.

PC Vernon added: "We have also tried to educate bar staff so they are well-placed to deal with these incidents and can make sure that the people have the necessary support.

"We spoke with the majority of venues and the response we had was really positive.

"People from the LGBT community often go to Manchester as they feel safe.

"Well we want them to think 'I am safe here'."

A spokesman for Bolton Council said: "We are pleased to be supporting International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia and will be flying the rainbow flag over Central Library and at Bolton’s police stations on May 17.

"We have also distributed 100 rainbow flags to schools, libraries, service providers and businesses to help raise awareness of homophobia, biphobia and transphobia and how to recognise and report hate crime.”