Man ‘urinated on’ in homophobic attack
A man was reportedly urinated on after being subjected to homophobic abuse on a bus from Manchester to Burnley.
The alleged incident took place on the X43 Manchester to Burnley bus in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Posting a statement on Facebook, Rossendale Police said: “We have received information that a man was subject to homophobic comments and had urine thrown at him on the X43 bus from Manchester to Burnley in the early hours of today.
“If you are the victim of this or if you witnessed the incident please contact Lancashire Police on 101 quoting log reference LC-20180715-0251 or email [email protected].”
The victim of reported hate crime the has yet to be identified and the police have made no arrests, according to Rossendale Free Press.
Rossendale Police have posted a statement about the incident on Facebook. (Rossendale Police)
Home Office stats released in October last year revealed a shocking surge of homophobic hate crime in England and Wales in 2016/17, in the wake of the Brexit vote.
Reports of hate crimes relating to sexual orientation surged by a massive 27 percent in just one year, from 7,194 to 9,157.
Police are calling for witnesses over the incident. (Jeff J Mitchell/Getty)
Across all types of hate crime, reports surged from 62,518 the year before to 80,393.
The Home Office explained: “In 2016/17, the police recorded 9,157 sexual orientation hate crimes, 5,558 disability hate crimes and 1,248 transgender identity hate crimes.
“The percentage increases in these three strands observed in 2016/17 were similar to those observed in 2015/16 when compared with the previous year.
“The sharp rise in all three strands suggests that the increases are due to the police improving their identification and recording of hate crime offences and more people coming forward to report these crimes rather than a genuine increase.
“Sexual orientation hate crime was the second most commonly recorded hate crime in the vast majority of forces (37 of 44).”
Earlier this month, a man, who was kicked and subjected to an anti-gay slur, was jailed for 12 years for running over the man he had been arguing with in Manchester’s Gay Village.
Aaron McDonald, 31, had rowed with another man in Bloom Street, during which he was kicked and called a “f****t boy,” reports Manchester Evening News.
The court heart how McDonald had then walked away, before getting into his Vauxhall Corsa, which was parked nearby.
He then drove his car at a group of pedestrians, including the man he had argued with.
The 31-year old continued driving, even after the man was thrown onto his bonnet.
McDonald then braked – meaning that the man was forced off his car bonnet – before driving over him.
