Leicester LGBTQ+ Salon Targeted as Pride Flag Stolen for Fifth Time
The owners of a Leicester-based hair salon are speaking out after their Pride flag was stolen for the fifth time, in what they believe is a deliberate hate crime targeting their LGBTQ+ business.
CCTV Captures Flag Theft in Early Morning Incident
CCTV footage from the early hours of Sunday, February 22, shows two men approaching The Secret Garden salon in Leicester. The video reveals the individuals taking turns to scale a lamppost to reach the rainbow flag, which was displayed approximately 10 feet in the air.
After several failed attempts, one man is seen standing on his friend's shoulders to successfully grab the flag and pole, throwing them to the ground before fleeing with the stolen item. The incident occurred around 5 a.m., with one of the perpetrators recording the act on a mobile phone.
Owners Report Pattern of Targeted Attacks
George Waterfield, 30, and Darren Cunningham, co-owners of The Secret Garden, have proudly displayed LGBTQ+ flags outside their openly queer hair salon since 2023. However, they report that this marks the fifth time a flag has been stolen since they began flying it.
"It's definitely a targeted hate crime," stated George Waterfield. "Why else would they be taking down that flag? We've had it done five times now, including twice in the same month last September. This is the first incident we've had in five months."
The owners believe the thefts are specifically aimed at their salon and brand, noting that the perpetrators cross the street purely to remove the flag. "To stand on your mate's shoulders, that's not the work of drunk behaviour to me," George added. "That shows proper thinking."
Financial and Emotional Impact on Business
Each replacement flag costs approximately £50, amounting to significant financial loss over multiple incidents. "It's cost us a fortune to replace this five times over," George explained.
The salon, which opened in 2019, adopted gender-neutral pricing in 2023, charging based on haircut rather than gender. The flag thefts began around the same time they started displaying the Pride flag outside their establishment.
"The flag being stolen seems to be happening more which is scary," George noted. "But we'll keep replacing it every time it's taken down. I want to show people we're not going to be silenced like that."
Police Involvement and Safety Concerns
The latest theft has been reported to Leicestershire Police, who provided a crime number. This incident follows a previous flag theft in September last year, where a thief made off on an e-bike.
George expressed concern about the anonymity of the perpetrators, stating, "I have no idea who these men are, which is a scary thing. They might know who I am as I show my face all over social media. These people are always doing it in the dark when no one can see them. This is why I want them shown."
The owners remain determined to continue displaying the Pride flag despite the repeated thefts, viewing it as a statement of resilience against targeted attacks on their LGBTQ+ identity and business.
