Victims of a potential hate crime have rallied together after their business venues were attacked.
On Point, on Eberle Street, and YoYo Hairdressing and So Fine and Design on Leather Lane had their windows smashed last week on Thursday, October 13. The three city centre companies, all beside one another, are LGBTQ+ venues which has caused Merseyside Police to be “mindful that this could be targeted”.
Lynnette Devine, the owner of So Fine and Design, said that the incident will be a “setback” for her company. The costume designer from Toxteth told the ECHO : “It's been really hard after COVID and this is definitely a setback as I'm still trying to pay off things from when I had no income and not enough help during the pandemic.
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"It's going to cost us nearly £1,000 to put it right as I don't know if we qualify for criminal damages yet. I was pretty upset when I heard the news about the windows as we are still trying to get back on our feet. We have worked closely with On Point bar to resolve this issue as the scene in Liverpool is very tight-knit and we are a family at the end of the day.”
Nick Small, Labour’s city centre councillor, said he would “pledge to do everything” he can as a councillor to “be an ally to LGBTQ+ venues” in the city. He added: “I am very concerned to hear that three LGBTQ+ venues have been targeted in what police are treating as a hate crime.
"Hate crime has no place in our city and we all need to work together to make sure that all venues in Liverpool are safe spaces for everyone.”
The damage less than a month after heartless thugs broke into On Point and stole a children’s charity donation box. At the time, a spokesperson for the LGBTQ+ venue told the ECHO that apart from this, not much else was stolen, but the burglar caused thousands of pounds worth of damage. As the two incidents have occurred in such a short space of time, Merseyside Police are considering it to be a hate crime.
Following the attacks, a spokesperson for Merseyside Police told the ECHO on Friday: “We are investigating after criminal damage was caused to businesses in Liverpool City Centre earlier this week. Just after midnight yesterday, Thursday 13 October, damage was reported to windows at On Point bar in Eberle Street. Damage was also caused to Yoyo Hairdressing and So Fine and Design on nearby Leather Lane. Enquiries are ongoing, including CCTV.”
Detective Inspector Steven O’Neil added: "At this stage, we are keeping an open mind as to whether these incidents are linked, and continuing our enquiries to find who was responsible. The damage to On Point follows previous homophobic hate crime incidents at the location, so we are mindful that this could be targeted against the club.
"We will be carrying out reassurance visits to the businesses targeted and I'd ask anyone with information to come forward as we gather information. Merseyside is a friendly, welcoming place, and we know that the overwhelming majority of people would be disgusted by such incidents. I’d like to reassure our communities that we take such incidents extremely seriously and work tirelessly to find those responsible and bring them to justice.
“I’d urge anyone who has been a victim of hate crime anywhere on Merseyside, or has any information, to come forward and report it. Whether you come to us directly or anonymously, through Crimestoppers or a third party, let us know and we will take action."
Anyone with information is asked to contact @MerPolCC with a reference. You can also call 101 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously at 0800 555 111 or via their online form. If for any reason, you do not wish to report a hate crime to the police, the independent charity, Stop Hate UK runs a 24/7 confidential helpline for all victims of hate crime on 0800 138 1625 or www.stophateuk.org .
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