Social media a factor in HMO attacks, says police boss

Social media is in part behind a spate of recent "racially or religiously motivated" attacks on houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) across Greater Manchester, a senior police officer has said.

Greater Manchester Police said there had been 46 properties damaged across the city region since 5 October, including in Salford, Tameside and Stockport.

Ch Sup Marcus Noden said footage of criminal damage was being shared widely "followed by comments and discussions", and people were using social media to "push the message out across different areas".

He warned people to stop the attacks, which he said were "unlawful, reckless and putting lives at risk".

As an investigation into the run of criminal damage continues, a 33-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday morning on suspicion of conspiracy to commit criminal damage and remained in custody for questioning.

The damage was to HMOs or properties that were mistaken for HMOs.

In Salford, 41 properties were targeted with three in Tameside and two in Stockport over the period.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, last week, two properties in Heaton Norris just outside Stockport town centre were targeted with anti-HMO graffiti. On Tuesday the window on one of the properties was smashed.

Neither of the properties in Heaton Norris were currently used as HMOs, despite claims on social media. One is understood to be for sale while the owners of the property where the windows were smashed were asking Stockport Council for permission to convert it into an eight bedroom HMO.

One of the owners, who wanted to remain anonymous, said he was planning to house young professionals if planning permission was approved.

The vandalism and criminal damage follows similar incidents in Salford where suspected HMOs were targeted.

Police said evidence suggests the attacked were linked to the criminal exploitation of children with a 13-year-old boy previously arrested.

Noden said the force recognised that the spread of damage to properties across Greater Manchester would be worrying for residents.

Speaking to BBC Radio Manchester, he said specially trained officers were looking into social media posts being circulated.

To those on social media encouraging the attacked, Noden, said: "Stop what you are doing - lives are being put in danger".

"I want to reiterate that we are taking this spate of damage extremely seriously and are continuing to relentlessly target offenders, including those who we believe are using and exploiting children to orchestrate the criminality," he said.

Two men, aged 46 and 39 were also arrested on Monday for the same offence and released on bail.

He said, "I hope it sends a strong message that anyone involved in this offending will be made to answer for their actions".

Anyone with information that could support the investigation is being asked to contact the police.

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