LGBTQ+ adult store in Manchester attacked for fifth time in four months

Police have launched an appeal for information after Clonezone, a well-known LGBTQIA+ adult store in Manchester, was attacked yet again.

The shop, which is located on Sackville Street in Manchester’s city centre, was vandalised on Sunday, 10 September at approximately 2pm local time.

CCTV shows two men approaching Clonezone on a motorbike before one gets off and attempts to smash the windows, which are now protected by iron bars due to the number of times it has been targeted.

After failing to shatter them, police said they “then threw an object at the doors and also at the security equipment which was placed on the outside the premises this has caused around £3,500 of pounds worth of damage.”

It marks the fifth attack on the business in the last four months alone.

Detectives believe the bike seen in the latest footage is the same one used in an incident that took place in May 2023 and are appealing for help in finding it.

#APPEAL | We are investigating a fifth attack that happened on Sackville Street, in particular Clonezone, from yesterday afternoon.

Happening in broad daylight, officers are hopeful witnesses were present and are urging them to come forward.

More here ➡️ https://t.co/LhcRc7pYYU pic.twitter.com/WKNrkql7my

— Manchester City Centre Police (GMP) (@GMPCityCentre) September 11, 2023

“The attacks are very specific, with all five attacks showcasing the same style of offending”

“So far, we have arrested a person but we know that there is someone out there who knows where this bike is and who it belongs to and we are urging them to reach out to us,” Chief Inspector Steve Wiggins of Greater Manchester Police’s City Centre Neighbourhood Team, said.

“We appreciate that the images in the CCTV image are not of the best quality, but we are releasing them in the hope that someone was able to witness this attack and can come forwards with information.

“The attacks are very specific, with all five attacks showcasing the same style of offending to one specific shop, with offenders arriving on bikes and causing significant damage. We are keen to find out the motivations behind the attacks which will assist us with tracing those responsible and bringing them to justice.

“This is the fifth attack on this business in the last four months and this cannot continue. We are doing everything in our power to investigate the incidents whilst protecting the business.”

READ MORE: LGBTQ+ adult store in Manchester attacked for a third time in six weeks

Wiggins also assured the public that patrols are being conducted by neighbourhood officers and a dedicated specialist unit is investigating the attacks.

Crimestoppers is offering a £2,000 reward for information given to them directly that leads to the arrest and conviction of any involved, which can be passed anonymously through the Crimestoppers independent charity on 0800 555 111.

Information regarding the bike or if you can identify the people in the image can also be passed by calling officers on 0161 856 3345 or via 101.

The post LGBTQ+ adult store in Manchester attacked for fifth time in four months appeared first on GAY TIMES.