CCTV appeal following hate crime incident in Stroud

Police investigating a hate crime in Stroud have issued CCTV images of two people they would like to speak to in connection with the incident.

Officers attended Bank Gardens at around 8.45am on Saturday 28 June following reports anti-transgender graffiti had been sprayed on tarmac walkways and paving stones ahead of the Stroud Pride event that was taking place there later that morning.

Around 20 slogans, which also appeared to be targeted towards transgender people, were sprayed around the gardens and stickers, which were of a similar nature, had been placed around the grounds. 

Further related graffiti was discovered outside a shop on Kendrick Street.  

CCTV enquiries have taken place and footage shows a male and a female entering the gardens at 3.30am that morning, who appear to use canisters to spray on the ground. They then left at 4am.

The male suspect is described as being white and was wearing a black jacket with the hood up, light grey baggy trousers and black trainers.

The woman is also described as being white with long brown hair. She was wearing a light-coloured dress, navy jacket and carrying a black bag.

Stroud Neighbourhood Policing Inspector Simon Ellson said: "Not only did this incident cause significant distress for many LGBT+ people in the community, it was also an act of mindless criminal damage.

"We would urge anyone with information to come forward so that we can hold those responsible accountable for their actions.

"Our thanks to our partners at Stroud Town Council and the Stroud Pride volunteers for their swift response in removing the graffiti on Saturday."

County Hate Crime Coordinator, PC Steph Lawrence said: “Hate crimes will not be tolerated and we will do all we can to ensure that people within our county feel safe in their day-to-day lives.

"Gloucestershire is a tolerant county which is rich in diversity and generally an accepting and safe place to visit and reside. We work in partnership with numerous agencies across Gloucestershire to ensure a joined-up approach to tackling hate crimes."

Enquiries are ongoing and officers would like to hear from anyone who may have seen what happened or saw anybody acting suspiciously near Bank Gardens between 3.30am and 4am on the morning of the incident.

Anyone who has not yet spoken to police and who may have CCTV, doorbell or dashcam footage which they feel is relevant is also asked to get in touch.

Information can be submitted online by completing the following form and quoting incident number 119 of 28 June: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/