Inverness LGBTQ+ owned cafe releases digital composite image of suspect involved in hate crime

An Inverness cafe has published a digital composite image of a suspect it believes was involved in a hate crime.

Xoko, in Bridge Street, has previously been the target of homophobic hate crime.

The latest incident, which is being investigated by the police, happened on Saturday October 12 when the property was vandalised and the windows spat on.

The LGBTQ+ owned cafe has now taken to Facebook to publish an image composed by a forensic artist of one of the suspected perpetrators.

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The image has composed by forensic artist Hew Morrison who saw the cafe’s original post and volunteered his expertise.

It has been shared by other city businesses and organisations.

Xoko, which has thanked Mr Morrison, has also posted CCTV film of the incident which involved three people.

It states: “This, unfortunately, is not isolated.

“We have repeatedly been the target of hate incidents. 10, in little over a year.

“These include spitting, vandalism, and hate speech.

“We are therefore releasing this information in an effort to identify those responsible for the latest.”

It is also urging people with any information to call Police Scotland on 101 reference XOKO, 13 BRIDGE STREET, INVERNESS.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “An investigation is under way after police received a report of a theft and vandalism at a café in Bridge Street, Inverness.

“The incident occurred on Saturday, 12 October, 2024.

“Officers are treating the incident at a hate crime and inquiries are ongoing.”