An activist has spoken out after he was assaulted in an alleged group attack in front of horrified onlookers along Market Street. Police were called to the shopping street in Manchester city centre at around 3.20pm on Monday (June 15).
Young Bob, who has a social media following and describes himself as a 'Christian Pro-life Remigration activist', was hosting his debate stand and was sat at a table along Market Street when tensions boiled over. He was wearing a Restore Britain cap.
Young Bob regularly posts about supporting mass deportation. A sign on his table read: "Reform UK must be more radical. Change my mind."
In video footage shared widely online, a large crowd is seen standing around him before he is grabbed by a number of people. He is seen being repeatedly punched by two men and kicked before falling to the ground. He is repeatedly struck as he lies on the floor with his stand equipment also used to hit him.
After getting up off the ground, others are seen supporting him as the offenders run away. Three arrests have since been made by police investigating the incident. Anyone with other footage is being urged to submit it as part of enquiries.
Police confirmed they were called at around 3.20pm to reports of a disturbance on Market Street where a man, identified as Young Bob, reported he had been assaulted. He was treated at the scene for his injuries.
He claimed he had been attacked by 'foreign lads', and that as well as being assaulted, his phone was smashed and both cameras he took were broken or stolen. He went on to describe the incident as 'by far the most high-profile assault case' that Greater Manchester Police had seen.
Writing on social media, showing him with scratches on his face, he wrote: "I've just been checked over by an ambulance after a group of foreign lads came up behind me while I was doing a debate stand, dragged me to the ground, and kicked and punched me."
"I passed out halfway through and don’t remember everything that happened. From what I can recall, it started while I was sitting down, and they took some of my equipment during the assault."
"The police arrived about five minutes after the assault, recovering as much as they could. One of my cameras exploded when they tried to seize it, or steal it. Instead of running away with it, they destroyed it, causing the battery to explode. Members from Stand Up to Racism were counter-protesting, and they were egging them on and filming it."
He went on to say he is now learning self-defence and is now trying to build up a team of security personnel to protect him, adding: "Looking back, I was naïve to think I could keep doing this without it."
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: "Officers were called to an incident on Market Street, Manchester yesterday (15/06/26) at around 3:20pm following reports of a disturbance. Members from Stand Up to Racism were counter-protesting, and they were egging them on and filming it."
"Upon arrival, officers spoke to a man who reported he had been assaulted. He was treated at the scene for his injuries. Three people, two juveniles and one person in their 20s, have been arrested on suspicion of robbery and assault. They remain in custody for questioning."
Meanwhile, Inspector Lee Ferguson from GMP's City Centre Neighbourhood Policing Team said: "We are aware of videos being shared on social media of the incident, and we are continuing to review all available footage to identify those involved. If anyone has any information, please get in touch."
