Police Arrest Five in Anti-Gay Attack Before Manchester Pride

The police have arrested five people in an alleged hate crime on Canal Street that happened days before Manchester Pride, one of the biggest gay events in the UK.

Gay Star News reports that police were called to Canal Street in the area's 'gayborhood' at 11:10 p.m. on August 17 in what is believed to be an anti-gay attack.

Five men who were fighting in the street were arrested. Two have been released without charge, and three others were released on bail, pending further inquiries.

"The CCTV we have recovered shows a large scale disturbance involving a number of men," Chief Inspector Gareth Parkin told GSN. "There are rumors circulating on social media that this was a hate incident and this is what we have been told third or fourth hand, however we need a first person account from someone who was a victim of a homophobic incident in order to record it as such."

"That said, it in no way detracts from the investigation that we will be doing to identify and bring to account those responsible for such ugly scenes," said Parkin. "With Pride just around the corner the focus on the gay village should be a positive one and we are working to ensure the weekend passes off peacefully, without incident and we are hoping that everyone coming to the event has a great time."

Midlands Zone, a website popular with Mancusians, reports that officers went to the scene and arrested five men "on suspicion of affray," including one who was unconscious and taken to the hospital for treatment of head injuries.

"Police say they are now trying to determine what sparked the trouble," reports Midland Zone. "Rumors are circulating on social media that it was a homophobic attack, which has caused unease with Manchester's Pride festival just days away. However, a senior officer says they have not yet received a first person account to that effect and so can't register it as a hate crime."

Witnesses are urged contact the Manchester Police at 0161 856 3221.