Councillors demand action after LGBTQ+ shop attacked for FOURTH time

Meetings have taken place with the police today in a bid to catch the culprits

Author: Owen ArandsPublished 23rd May 2023
Last updated 23rd May 2023

Councillors in Manchester City Centre are demanding more is done to catch vandals after an LGBTQ+ shop in Manchester's gay village was attacked for the fourth time in two months.

Yesterday Clonezone on Sackville Street had its window smashed in broad daylight.

It follows three similar attacks in recent weeks.

This afternoon city centre councillors met with police to press them on what they're doing to catch the culprits.

Councillor Pat Karney said:

"We have had an urgent meeting with the police today about the latest attack on Clonezone and we impressed on them the safety of the staff in this shop, who are terrified at these increasing attacks on the premises.

"The safety of the staff with these vicious attacks is paramount."

"We asked the police to redouble their efforts and increase their intelligence capabilities so that we can track down these hooligans.

"It may take time, but we will get these people who are spreading fear and hate in the Gay Village.

Councillor Karney also said he's urging other businesses in the area to club together to offer a reward for information that leads to an arrest.

"We've also asked the village business association to set up a fund to offer a reward for information about these hooligans. We will get them their day in court."

A just giving page set up by the store has already raised over £1,000.

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.