A councillor has vowed to bring ‘mindless’ Chinatown vandals ‘before the courts’ after the area’s iconic pagoda was smashed last night. The structure will now be closed while repairs are carried out.
Safety fences were also smashed in the assault between 1am and 3am this morning (Tuesday, June 21), the council city centre spokesperson Pat Karney said. He went on to confirm that four ornamental statues were stolen, which were imported originally from China.
The Manchester Evening News understands two have been recovered, but two remain missing. Now, Coun Karney says officers will be working with cops to haul the thugs before a judge.
“It’s mindless vandalism on one of the most iconic structures in Manchester,” he said. “We are working with GMP to get these people before the courts. I do not know what the motivation is.
“Without those safety fences it’s unsafe, so we’ve had to close it. They have let Manchester down. That arch is much-loved not just by the Chinese community, but the whole city as well.”
Coun Karney added he hoped those responsible would ‘reflect’ and hand themselves in. The structure, installed in the 1980s, is something of a hub for the community, according to one business owner.
David Law has owned the Arts and Craft gift shop opposite it since the late-1980s. He told the MEN : “In Chinatown, we have a WeChat group chat — that’s the first I knew of it. It is mindless. What animal does that?
“I have been since the late 80s, we have seen this arch and pagoda being built back in the 80s and over the decade you see vandalism and antisocial behaviour gatherings.
“It seems to her worse as it goes on. There are a few old people’s homes here. They use it and the car park to do their exercise in the morning.
“It is not good. It is a tourist attraction, so it’s just heartbreaking to see it in this state.”
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