British police searching for three youths caught on camera racially abusing a man on a tram have made arrests.
The victim had beer thrown at him and is abused by the youths as shocked commuters looked on during the incident on a tram in Manchester city centre this morning.
Video footage of the incident emerged earlier today and within hours police said three people, two men aged 20 and 18 and a boy aged 16, have been arrested on suspicion of affray.
They are now in custody for questioning, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said.
The footage shows one youth telling the victim that they’re not from England and "to get back to Africa".
The man responds: "You are extremely ignorant and not very intelligent, you know that?"
One of the youths, who all appear to be holding bottles of beer, then approaches and flicks alcohol from the bottle at his victim.
As the youths get off, the victim says to himself: "Seven years in the military," as other commuters tell the three, "You are an absolute disgrace. A disgrace to England".
Chief Inspector Gareth Parkin, of Greater Manchester Police, said: "This is a disgusting display of abuse which quite frankly has no place in society.
Police are investigating a hate incident on a city centre tram https://t.co/Z9SNzRMNCp
— G M Police (@gmpolice) June 28, 2016
"All hate incidents are treated with the utmost severity and this behaviour will not be tolerated in Greater Manchester.
"I'm strongly urging anyone who recognises the men in the video to come forward and help us with our investigation.
"The incident happened at around 7.40am this morning, Tuesday 28 June, on a tram travelling towards the city centre."
It is not clear what sparked the incident. Local reports suggest the victim had confronted the youths for swearing.
Greater Manchester's Mayor and Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd said: "People across Greater Manchester will condemn racist attacks which have been reported in different parts of the country in the wake of the EU Referendum result.
"While Greater Manchester Police have said they have not seen an increase in reports of hate crime over the weekend, we are now starting to hear stories of people being abused because of their race, religion or nationality.
"There is no room in Greater Manchester for hatred and division. We have worked hard, together, to build strong, cohesive, and welcoming communities. I encourage anyone who has been a victim of hate crime to come forward and report it.
"Hate crime has no place in our society. The overwhelming majority of British people stand together against hatred and prejudice. These acts of racism are not in our name and will not be tolerated."
We are investigating a hate incident on a city centre tram. If you have information about it please call 101 pic.twitter.com/5qvxwVpB4w
— G M Police (@gmpolice) June 28, 2016
