Police and partners reassure people that Manchester’s Gay Village is ‘safe and vibrant’ following criminal damage incidents

CloneZone, on Sackville Street, has been attacked four times between March and May, using the same MO for each incident.

Causing thousands of pounds in damage, two men approached the store on a bike, with the passenger jumping off to smash the glass panels in both doors.

With a busy period of events coming up in the village; Sparkle Weekend from July 7-9 and Pride Festival returning for four days on August Bank Holiday weekend, police and partners want to reassure the community that the area is a safe place to visit.

Chief Inspector Stephen Wiggins, of GMP’s City Centre Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Everyone is welcome to come to the Village and enjoy it for the wonderfully vibrant place it is.

“I would like to reassure the community that we have the resources available to ensure people are safe in the village.

“We have conducted numerous high-visibility patrols and used plain clothed officers through the evenings to ensure the night-time economy remains a thriving environment, and we will continue to use these tactics.

“Hate crime in the village remains our top priority. We know that statistically hate crime remains relatively low however we encourage members of the public to feel confident in reporting hate-related crime and this is our city centre focus within our overarching Village plans.

“With regards to the incidents at Clonezone, we are investigating several lines of enquiries, we have made arrests and will continue to do so whilst the investigation remains open and are working closely with our partners to ensure public safety and confidence across the Village.”

There has been a reduction in overall crime in the Village in this year’s quarter compared to last year, as well as reductions in serious violent crime. 

The top three crime types for both years are the same - theft from person, other theft offences and violence without injury.

Most crimes committed in the Village occur during the night-time economy, predominantly in the early hours of Saturday and Sunday between midnight and 4am. These are crimes that are committed in the clubs/bars but also on the streets when people are going between or leaving the licensed premises.

Cllr Sam Wheeler, Piccadilly Ward Councillor, said: “Events like this understandably cause concern to the many people, across Manchester and beyond, who feel the Gay Village is a rare place where they are safe to be themselves.

“Since the initial incident we have had several very successful events in the Gay Village, supported by GMP and other partners, showing the tremendous resilience of the community. The City Council is committed to this unique cultural and social space.

“As both its representative and a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I would urge people to continue visiting, supporting and enjoying this unique neighbourhood, and to continue to work with us to make sure everyone can do so safely."

Phil Burke, chair of the Village License Business Association (LBA), added: “We are working closely with GMP and other agencies to ring the culprits to justice.

“I must thank the Neighbourhood Policing Team for the hard work they’ve done and continue to do so on the investigation behind the scenes.

“It is despicable what has gone on, singling out a venue that has been in the village for more than 30 years. CloneZone is a well-established brand known across the country.

“The Village is one of the safest places to come to in Manchester city centre. It is a vibrant community and will continue to be so for all.”

Whilst GMP want to reassure the public, the force also recommends that people don’t leave devices unattended or out of your sight whilst ensuring they are aware of their surroundings.

People can also register goods on www.immobilise.com

Follow this advice to keep your valuable items safe:

• Don’t leave your phone, iPad, tablet or camera unattended, out of your sight, or left on a table. Thieves can grab a phone from a table in seconds.
• Plan your route and think about what to take with you, especially if you’re going somewhere you haven’t been before. Keep to busy, well-lit streets, walkways and paths which are more likely to be covered by CCTV. Only take licensed taxis or minicabs booked by phone or a mobile phone app.
• Be aware of your surroundings and only use your mobile when it feels safe to.
• When you’ve finished using it, put it away.
• Register goods on immobilise (The National Property Register, for Phones, Gadgets, Bicycles & More... (immobilise.com)). 
• You can register any valued item with immobilise e.g mobile phones, bikes, electricals.
• Identify the property as yours by using any of the following: IMEI number, property Serial Numbers, photographs and detailed descriptions.​
• The NMPR allows Police Officers to search the IMEI or Serial Numbers of recovered goods that have been registered on Immobilise; and then take action accordingly.​
• Once registering your property on Immobilise, you can later mark this property as lost or stolen.

 

If anyone has any information regarding the incidents of criminal damage at CloneZone, including CCTV footage, dash cam footage, please contact GMP on 101 or via the GMP website using the ‘report’ tool: www.gmp.police.uk.

Alternatively, you can report information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers online or by calling 0800 555 111.