Pride banners damaged in Congleton

Police are appealing for witnesses after Congleton Pride banners tampered with in the town.

One banner was pulled down on the evening of Wednesday 28 July near Aldi on Mountbatten Way.

Another banner located by the A34 near the ambulance station was also damaged sometime between 6pm on 31 July and 8am on 1 August, which officers are also investigating.

Inspector Jim Adams said: “We would advise anyone who has information on the banners being taken down or tampered with, or saw someone acting suspiciously near the banners to contact police - maybe you caught the incident on your dash cam as you were driving past.

“We’re trying to understand the motivations behind these incidents, which are criminal damage at the least, but more concerning, a potential hate crime.

“A banner was taken down outside the New Life Church earlier in the week which was not damaged and we have been working with both the organisers of the event, and the church to understand the reasons for the banner being removed from there.”

Anyone with information should contact Cheshire Police on 101 or via the website quoting IML 1048788.

Alternatively information can be given anonymously by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.