Nowra and Wollongong are some of the first commands in the state to have partnered with ACON to become involved in their community safety program.

The Welcome Here project started in 1992 in response to high levels of street-based violence directed towards LGBTIQA+ people.

Local businesses and organisations sign up to the project display a sticker in their shop front, to show they are a visible welcoming and inclusive of LGBTIQA+ people.

NSW Police Corporate Sponsor for Sexuality, Gender Diversity and Intersex, Assistant Commissioner Gelina Talbot, who visited the Nowra Police Station on Wednesday, said it is important to create safe spaces in regional communities.

"Sometimes creating inclusive spaces can be very metro-centric," said Ms Talbot.

"Having been the commander at Moree in the far west, I know how important it is that we work with local services in the LGBTIQA+ space in the regions to work with them and to look after them."

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Ms Talbot said it is especially important police officers and stations are involved in the program.

"It's important because history tells us we as an organisation need to do better," she said.

"We're committed to making sure that the LGBTIQA+ community knows that we're a different organisation to what we were in the past and we're very much committed to working with them in the community."

South Coast Police District Commander, Superintendent Greg Moore, said he is thrilled the district is a part of the program.

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