Police search for three people after homophobic attack on two men who were travelling on the Metrolink

Greater Manchester Police have issued pictures of two people they want to trace in connection with a homophobic attack on two men travelling on the Metrolink in Trafford.

The men, both in their forties, were travelling on the Metrolink from Media City into the city centre on Sunday January 22. As the tram was due to stop at Cornbrook at about 10.30 pm, one man and two women became involved in a row with them.

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 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.