Appeal for information after reported hate crime in Liverpool City Centre

We are appealing for information following a reported hate crime assault in Liverpool City Centre in the early hours of this morning, Saturday 10 July.

At around 12.25am, we received a report that a man in his 20s had been assaulted by three men on Bold Street, outside the Tesco supermarket. The offenders are said to have asked the victim for money and subjected him to homophobic abuse during the attack before they made off. 

The victim sustained facial injuries and attended hospital for treatment. 

CCTV and witness enquiries are ongoing to identify the suspects.

Detective Inspector Sean Kelly-Martland said: “It's hugely concerning that someone has been subjected to homophobic abuse and assault in our city centre. To be attacked in such a manner is despicable, and we’re determined to find those responsible and remove them from our streets.

"Due to the abhorrent verbal abuse the victim was subjected to, we’re treating this as a hate crime. Merseyside Police stands against hate crime in all its forms and will not tolerate people being targeted in this manner because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

“If you were in the Bold Street area in the early hours of Saturday morning and saw, heard or captured anything - please come forward as soon as possible and we will take action."

Anyone with information is asked to contact us via our social media desk on Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ with reference 21000479926.

You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information.