Trans memorial restored

The Transgender memorial, which was the first of its kind in the UK, was erected in August last year and funded by community group The Friends of Sackville Gardens.

However, it was vandalised just days after being put up, which caused considerable tension in the area.

Wanting to help, officers from the City Centre Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) managed to secure some POCA funding which paid for most of the repairs.

Tony Cooper, Chair of The Friends of Sackville Gardens, said: “We worked closely with the Trans community to create a lasting memorial to those who have died because of prejudice and hate, and to then see that memorial vandalised within days was a true reflection of what many Trans people have to go through in daily life.

 “GMP attended very quickly and we all tried hard to find the culprits, but to no avail. We are therefore grateful for the police donation to restore the damaged plaques, so that the memorial can look its best for ‘Sparkle’, the national transgender weekend in July.”

 As well as the memorial being vandalised, Sackville Gardens has been a hotspot for robberies and assaults over the years due to it not being lit at night.

 PC David Willetts of the City Centre NPT said: “This has been a major issue for the community for a long time, and so I’m pleased to announce that due to GMP and the council working closely with the local college, the required lighting is now being fitted and the college is covering the cost. I’m confident that this measure will help greatly in reducing crime in the area.”

To report hate crime, call police on 101, report online at report-it.org.uk or visit a hate crime reporting centre listed at gmp.police.uk/northmanchester   

Published: 20-Mar-2014: (2334)