Police in Greater Manchester are asking the general public for help in identifing suspects in connection with what they are calling a homophobic attack on a tram in Trafford.
Officers are trying to identify the man and woman pictured following what they are calling a homophobic attack on a tram in Trafford, just weeks after another homophobic incident in Oldham, just 11 miles away in Oldham.
Two men in their 40s were travelling on the Metrolink from Media City into the city centre on the night of Sunday 22 January 2017 when they were allegedly attacked on the tram, just before it stopped at Cornbrook station. Police are looking for one man and two women became involved in a verbal altercation with the victims.
They then launched a violent attack on them, punching and kicking them while subjecting them to homophobic abuse.
Both victims needed hospital treatment.
One of the women is described as a white, with long brown hair in a ponytail and was wearing a dark cap. She was also wearing a black hoody with a white square and white lettering on the front of it.
Detective Constable Claire Phythian, from GMP’s Trafford borough, said,
“This was a disturbing attack on two innocent men as they made their way home.
“We are doing everything we can to find those responsible for it and with that, we need the public’s help with any information about the incident.
“If you recognise the people pictured, or have any information about them, then please contact police. If you were on the tram at the time of the offence and witnessed the attack, please also call us.
“We take all reports of hate crimes extremely seriously and the message is clear – they will not and never will be tolerated in Greater Manchester.”
Anyone with any information should call 0161 856 7677 quoting incident number 2269 of 22 January 2017. Alternatively, information can be passed on anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
