Pride flag torn down and burned in 'hate crime'

Anyone with information has been urged to call police

A Pride flag has been torn down and burned in Weston-super-Mare.

Officers have confirmed it happened at the town council's Grove House sometime between 17:00 BST on Wednesday and 07:30 on Thursday.

An Avon and Somerset Police spokesperson said: "The incident is being treated as a hate crime and enquiries to identify those responsible are ongoing."

Chair of North Somerset LGBT+ forum, Steve Winter-Gray, said he was "disappointed but not surprised", noting that it had taken place during Pride month.

Steve Winter-Gray said: "My initial reaction was that I was quite upset.

"As a community we are incredibly resilient.

"We will come back fighting and more defiant."

He said despite a few transphobic stickers appearing on the group's building, the wider community had been very welcoming and supportive.

"We have three community Pride events this month - the community stands next to us and with us."

A spokesperson for the forum said "hate will not win".

"For this to happen during Pride month sadly demonstrates the ongoing hostility our communities receive, and that the need for awareness, education, and acceptance has not gone away," the forum spokesperson added.

The flag has now been replaced.