Clonezone, an LGBTQ+ adult store in the heart of Manchester’s Gay Village, had its windows smashed with a crowbar.
It marks the venue’s third attack in just six weeks.
CCTV footage from 24 April, which Clonezone has shared a screenshot of, shows the venue’s window being smashed by a masked individual as another sits on a motorbike watching.
The image shows what appears to be a parked police car behind the person on the bike, though whether or not any officers were present remains unclear and GAY TIMES has asked Greater Manchester Police for clarification on this.
“Beyond heartbroken to be putting this statement out again,” the venue wrote on Twitter.
“Please, if anyone has any information no matter how insignificant you feel it may be, get in touch.”
Beyond heartbroken to be putting this statement out again.
Please, if anyone has any information no matter how insignificant you feel it may be, get in touch.Once again a huge thank you from myself and the CZManchester team – Cris 💔 pic.twitter.com/DghDGVepJ0
— Clonezone Manchester • #LGBwiththeT (@czmanchester) April 25, 2023
Its statement continued: “For the third time in 6 weeks Clonezone Manchester has been victims of a premeditated, targeted hate crime against us as a queer business, the police response has, in no uncertain terms failed us and allowed these attacks to continue to happen.
“Our LGBTQIA+ village has always been a safe space and that now sadly is becoming less and less of a reality.”
READ MORE: Met Police is institutionally homophobic, racist and sexist, review finds
Clonezone first opened in Manchester almost 40 years ago and is a beloved part of the city’s LGBTQ+ scene.
The team has asked anyone with information to get in touch via email at topher@clonezone.co.uk or manchester@clonezone.co.uk.
GAY TIMES has contacted Greater Manchester Police for further comment on this story.
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