Three boys arrested in Stockton after attack on transgender woman | UK news

Police said the victim’s injuries required surgery in hospital. The three boys remain in custody.

Three boys were arrested after a transgender woman was violently attacked, police said.

According to Cleveland police, who are treating the incident as a hate crime, the victim suffered a deep injury to his leg.

Armed police were dispatched to the scene on Norton Road in Stockton, Teesside, on Tuesday evening and the victim, in her twenties, was taken to hospital for surgery.

Three boys, aged 12, 14 and 16, were arrested and remain in police custody for questioning by officers.

Richard Baker, Cleveland’s deputy police chief, said: “No one should ever have to fear being targeted just because of who they are.”

“Physical violence against a person or insults based on a person’s gender identity, race, disability or other differences are unacceptable and will not be tolerated in our communities.

“The Cleveland Police Department takes all reports of hate crimes and hate crime incidents extremely seriously, as we know the effects of these types of crimes can be traumatic and long-lasting.”

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Officials are asking for witness statements as well as video footage from video surveillance systems, doorbells and dashboard cameras.