News
Gay Village shop Clonezone ‘lost for words’ after FOURTH attack
How is this still happening!?
There’s heartache across Manchester today after Gay Village business Clonezone was attacked – for a fourth time.
The shop on Sackville Street has been the victim of repeated attacks from vandals who have been seen speeding away from the scene on a motorbike.
In fact, its windows are still boarded up from the most recent spate of vandalism just a few weeks ago.
This is now the fourth time the thugs have caused damage to the building in just two months.
A man had previously been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit criminal damage and was released with bail conditions.
Clonezone has released shocking CCTV footage that once again shows what appears to be the same orange motorbike pulling up outside the shop.
One person then leaps off the back of the bike and attacks the glass door of Clonezone with what looks like a crow bar, before the pair speed off down Sackville Street in the direction of Portland Street.
Clonezone UK wrote, sharing the footage: “Unfortunately I can confirm that @CZManchester has been attacked for a fourth time.
“My colleague Richard Tropez: ‘Police have said that they know the routes the bike has taken in the past. The windows are still boarded up, but it’s the door glass they went through this time’
“Thankfully, our staff are unharmed. Please share this video^ far & wide, if you can, and help us find any information that could track these people down. We want them caught. Thanks, *Topher.”
The Manchester shop then posted: “Kind of lost for words at the moment that this has happened again.
“Thank you so much to all of you for the support & solidarity. Please, if anyone has any information or has seen this bike in your area contact [email protected], crime stoppers or the police. Thank you again – Cris.”
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said last night: “At around 5.50pm today (Monday 22 May 2023) Greater Manchester Police were called to reports of criminal damage at a premises on Sackville Street, Manchester.
“Officers attended the scene and an investigation is ongoing to determine the full circumstances surrounding this incident.”
Featured image: Twitter, @clonezoneuk
News
Police appeal to find next of kin after man found outside Palace Theatre
Daisy Jackson
Police are trying to track down the family of a man who died after being found unresponsive outside the Palace Theatre in Manchester.
The man, who has now been named as Jonathan Bernard Carroll, was seen outside the city centre theatre at around 6.30am on Tuesday 12 November.
Emergency services rushed to the scene and Mr Carroll was taken to hospital.
Tragically, the 47-year-old passed away a short time later.
A large cordon was in place on Whitworth Street and Oxford Road while police and security attended the incident.
Greater Manchester Police are now appealing to find his next of kin.
It’s believed that he resided in the Salford area of Greater Manchester.
Anyone with any information should contact the Coroner’s Office on 0161 856 1376.
Read more
Featured image: The Manc Group
News
Greater Manchester public urged to help get people ‘off the streets and on their feet’ before Christmas
Emily Sergeant
Locals are being urged to help get hundreds of people “off the streets and back on their feet” this festive season.
As the temperatures told colder by the day, and Christmas creeps closer and closer, Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity is bringing back ‘1000 Beds for Christmas’, and the massively-important initiative is aiming to provide 1,000 nights of accommodation to people at risk of homelessness before the big day arrives.
Forming part of the ongoing ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme, this festive fundraising mission is designed to provide food, shelter, warmth, and dedicated vital wrap-around support for those who need it most.
The charity says it wants to build on the “incredible success of 2023”, which raised more than £55,000 and provided 1,800 nights of accommodation.
Stockport-based property finance specialists, Together – which has supported the campaign for the last two years – has, once again, generously pledged to match every public donation for the first £20,000 raised.
Unfamiliar with the ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme? Since 2017, when rough sleeping peaked, the initiative has helped ensure a significantly-higher rate of reduction in the numbers of people facing a night on streets in Greater Manchester than seen nationally.
The landmark scheme has given people the chance to rebuild their lives, while also giving them access to key services and opportunities that allows them to stay off the streets for good.
Despite the scheme’s recent success, organisations across Greater Manchester are under “a huge amount of pressure” to meet the demand for their services this winter, and given the current economic outlook, household budgets will continue to be squeezed – leaving people on the sharp end of inequality and poverty.
Read more:
“Help us be a lifeline to organisations on the frontline,” Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity urged in it’s public appeal for donations.
You can help make sure ‘A Bed Every Night’ is a reality for all by donating here.
Featured Image – EthelRedThePetrolHead (via Flickr)
