Horrifying video footage has THREE times captured masked thugs on motorbikes attacking an adult store in Manchester's Gay Village - as police say catching the offenders is their 'top priority'.
The Manchester Evening News can now reveal the CCTV footage of all three attacks at the Clonezone store on Sackville Street, occurring within the space of just six weeks.
In an emotional recent statement, the store has called the spate of attacks 'premeditated' and 'targeted hate crime' against the business.
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Although Greater Manchester Police are unable to confirm the motivation for the incidents, it is understood their working hypothesis at this time is that the three attacks are a hate crime.
It is also understood that police believe it is the same two offenders that have targeted the adult store on every occasion - but that there is no intelligence at this time to suggest why Clonezone was specifically targeted.
The first attack happened on the evening of March 22 as staff, who have been left 'shaken up' from the ordeal, were inside and working in the store. Bricks were hurled through the windows by the thugs, who sped off from the scene on a motorbike.
It prompted the venue to issue an emotional public statement writing: “Windows can be broken but the LGBTQIA+ community cannot."
The second incident was caught on camera again weeks later, on April 13. Similar to the first attack, two masked individuals pulled up outside on a motorbike before then going on to smash the glass door with a weapon before driving away.
The Manchester Evening News understands that following the second attack, police were able to trace the motorbike used by the offenders to the north Manchester area through CCTV footage. However, no suspects have been questioned and no arrests have been made yet.
Calls were made for an urgent meeting between managers of Gay Village businesses, local leaders and neighbourhood police, where it was agreed that increased police patrols needed to be introduced.
General Manager of Clonezone Richard Tropez also installed additional CCTV cameras at the store, new shutters and also hired security from 7pm onwards. It was hoped these new tactics would deter the offenders from striking again.
Despite this, on April 24, two masked thugs pulled up outside minutes before 6pm, with one person seen running over to the store front and smashing up the windows with a crowbar before speeding off in the direction of London Road. A police car was pictured outside at the time of the attack, but it is understood the vehicle was unmanned at the time.
Clonezone Manager Richard Tropez has told the Manchester Evening News he is 'not confident' he can keep protecting his staff from the repeated attacks.
"It is the third time this has happened and it's massively affecting the mental health of staff in store. I have a responsibility over those people, but I do not feel confident I can keep protecting them," he said.
"After the second attack happened, we had window replaced again and introduced additional CCTV and shutters for when we are closed, along with security from 7pm onwards. But yet at 6pm, in broad daylight and with a police car parked outside, it still happened."
The attacks have sent ripples of unease through the community, says Jeremy Hoad, chair of the Friends of Manchester's Gay Village group. He spoke to the Manchester Evening News about how the repeated attacks, whether hate motivated or not, will create a 'destabilising' atmosphere in the Gay Village and within the wider LGBTQ+ community - bringing up emotional reactions and trauma from the past.
"There have now been multiple incidents, and the police have not yet caught anybody or determined a specific motive. It is important to recognise there could be all sorts of reasons behind them," he said.
"However, at the same time, you can't ignore the perception it creates within the LGBTQ+ community. Hate crime incidents are typically classified based on what has happened and if something is perceived to have been motivated by hate, but also the perception of the victim involved.
"In this instance, it's interesting because we don't know who did it or their motives, but either way, the sense of unease this brings to what is supposed to be a welcoming and safe space, and how people can become fearful is highlighted. It generates an atmosphere that is destabilising and can trigger other reactions and perceptions in LGBTQ+ people.
"It may be there was an entirely different reason for these attacks on Clonezone, and speculating can of course be dangerous in an instance like this when it is caught up with so many emotions and feelings. Particularly at a time when there is so much political rhetoric flying around that can harm the community, these attacks could be linked to that and a much more dangerous situation for LGBTQ+ people.
"As chair of the Gay Village group it's important that it remains a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community and any incidents like this are of course very worrying and undermine the cohesion of the gay village. It's even more important that we stand completely against these incidents and take as much action as possible to fight back."
Those feelings were echoed by Piccadilly Councillor Sam Whelan, who previously said: "Many of us hoped this sort of targeted violence against LGBT+ people, businesses and services was a thing of the past. It is vital that those cowardly individuals who chose to engage in these acts of destruction are caught and properly dealt with."
Investigations are continuing, primarily through the reviewing of CCTV in the area and further afield to trace the offenders and the bike they were using. It is understood that this has proved more challenging due to the bike not having a registration plate.
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, Adam Wignall, Chief Inspector Wignall from GMP's City of Manchester District said tracing the offenders is now his 'top priority'.
"We've added increased patrols in the area to reassure the community and held a number of meetings with the partnership and broader village community. We have made frequent visits to Clonezone and are engaging with staff there frequently," he said.
When asked about the increased feelings of fear that Jeremy claimed the attacks have created within the community, he added: "We are sensitive to that. I have said in community meetings that this is my number one priority at the moment.
"We are continuing with CCTV enquiries and appeal to anyone in the community to get in touch formally and through crime stoppers. There will be people out there who know who is responsible for this.
"GMP will not tolerate these kinds of mindless acts of vandalism in the city and as such, we are providing ongoing support to the owners of the shop, whilst we thoroughly investigate these incidents."
If anyone has any information, contact 101 quoting log number 002955-24042023, or through the Live Chat function at the GMP website www.gmp.police.uk. Information can also be passed through the independent charity – Crimestoppers – on 0800 111 555. 999 should be dialled in case of an emergency.
Read the latest LGBTQ+ news here.
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