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Manchester gay cruising canal site safety fears | Manchester gay cruising canal site safety fears |
(about 11 hours later) | |
Safety measures will be considered for a gay cruising area near a canal in Manchester city centre after a man died when he fell into the water. | Safety measures will be considered for a gay cruising area near a canal in Manchester city centre after a man died when he fell into the water. |
Police, Manchester City Council and Manchester and Pennine Waterways are considering gating off the Dale Street area known as the Undercroft. | Police, Manchester City Council and Manchester and Pennine Waterways are considering gating off the Dale Street area known as the Undercroft. |
It was prompted by the death of a man on Tuesday who had been involved in an assault on the Rochdale Canal. | It was prompted by the death of a man on Tuesday who had been involved in an assault on the Rochdale Canal. |
The Lesbian and Gay Foundation says closing off the area is not a solution. | |
Stefanie Hartley, community safety office for the group, said: "It's a well established cruising area, it has been for many years. | Stefanie Hartley, community safety office for the group, said: "It's a well established cruising area, it has been for many years. |
"Obviously there's a risk that people are going down there to engage in sex and sex acts and they are being exploited and attacked in other ways. | |
"By closing off that area and gating it off completely, I would worry those activities are just going to move elsewhere." | "By closing off that area and gating it off completely, I would worry those activities are just going to move elsewhere." |
'Army of police' | 'Army of police' |
A man who was beaten and allegedly subjected to homophobic abuse warned gay people not to use that area. | A man who was beaten and allegedly subjected to homophobic abuse warned gay people not to use that area. |
Tony, who would not give his full name, said: "Gay men like me who frequent the area should stop using it. | Tony, who would not give his full name, said: "Gay men like me who frequent the area should stop using it. |
"People are aware of what goes on down there but people take no notice. You could send an army of police down there, it will not stop them." | "People are aware of what goes on down there but people take no notice. You could send an army of police down there, it will not stop them." |
This year, there have been two deaths in canals in the city centre. This follows three fatalities in 2013 around the same area, police said. | This year, there have been two deaths in canals in the city centre. This follows three fatalities in 2013 around the same area, police said. |
Inspector Phil Spurgeon, from the Gay Village neighbourhood policing team, said: "The reality is when you have a busy city, a vibrant night time economy, you have 500 licensed premises in 2.2 square miles, you put a big canal system through the middle of that and you are going to end up with some fatalities, which is dreadful." | |
David Baldacchino, of Manchester and Pennine Waterways, added: "I look after over 200 miles of the canals and most of that has a pretty good safety record. | David Baldacchino, of Manchester and Pennine Waterways, added: "I look after over 200 miles of the canals and most of that has a pretty good safety record. |
"There is this one area in Manchester which is earning a reputation, which is not what we would want." | "There is this one area in Manchester which is earning a reputation, which is not what we would want." |
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