Police investigating an alleged assault on the Chinese consulate in Manchester have stated they’ve recognized quite a few offences together with assaults and public order offences of their investigation.
On 16 October, a peaceable pro-Hong Kong democracy rally outdoors the consulate turned violent.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) is investigating the alleged assault of Bob Chan, after pictures appeared to indicate him being dragged into the consulate grounds earlier than being punched and kicked.
He claims he was left with cuts and bruises throughout his physique, and a senior diplomat was accused of being concerned and pulling Mr Chan’s hair.
In a brand new replace, the drive stated it’s persevering with to work with detectives to determine the total circumstances of the incident.
Investigators have been gathering a spread of proof together with CCTV, police body-worn video, cell phone footage, and witness statements from as many individuals concerned as doable to help in capturing a rounded understanding of what occurred.
The drive added that the variety of offences recognized contains assaults and public order offences that “concern events that left a man in his 30s with several minor physical injuries after being allegedly assaulted in the consulate grounds”.
Police stated the alleged assault adopted an initially peaceable protest that appeared to escalate, they usually need to discover out why.
Read extra:
‘I used to be pondering I would die’: Hong Kong pro-democracy protester on Chinese consulate assault
Chinese consul-general defends actions after being seen pulling protester’s hair in Manchester
Assistant Chief Constable Chris Sykes described the investigation as “a complex inquiry”.
He continued: “We’re continuing to gain a clearer understanding of the timeline of events that led to an initially peaceful protest escalating in the way it did. This has seen us identify a number of offences and potential suspects and victims.
“This is a delicate however, importantly, goal investigation that can contain us working for so long as required to talk to all these involved to realize as many solutions as we probably can, and we’ll proceed to supply updates the place obligatory sooner or later.”
Police stated no different accidents have been reported to them apart from a minor bodily harm to the hand of an officer who intervened to assist take away the person in his 30s from the consulate grounds out of worry for his security.
The drive added it’s actively looking for different potential victims of incidents through the disturbance.
No arrests have but been made and enquiries proceed.
Source: information.sky.com”