Police are investigating the assault of a man following a protest outside the Chinese Consulate in Manchester yesterday.

Officers from it were made aware of a planned demonstration due to take place on Sunday (16 October).

Around 30 to 40 people gathered outside the Chinese Consulate, and local patrols were in the area to help maintain the peaceful protest.

Shortly before 4pm a small group of men came out of the building and a man was dragged into the Consulate grounds and assaulted.

Due to  fears for the safety of the man, officers intervened and removed the victim from the Consulate grounds.

The man – aged in his 30s – suffered several physical injuries and remained in hospital overnight for treatment.

Detectives from our Major Incident Team are investigating the incident and officers are liaising with national policing and diplomatic partners.

No arrests have been made and our ongoing and 'complex' enquiries continue.

Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts said: “We understand the shock and concern that this incident will have caused not just locally, but for those much further afield who may have connections with our communities here in Greater Manchester.

“It is clear what began as a peaceful protest unexpectedly escalated and our officers acted professionally in response to a hostile and dynamic situation to help the victim and ensure he didn’t come to any further harm.

“A full and comprehensive investigation is underway by our experienced Major Incident Team detectives, and I can assure the public that all viable avenues will be explored to bring to justice anyone we believe is culpable for the scenes we saw outside the Chinese Consulate on Sunday.

“This investigation will take time but we are supporting the man who was subjected to this assault, as well as ensuring that our local officers are providing visible reassurance and are available to anyone may wish to speak to us.”

Following the incident, Metro Mayor Andy Burnham said: “What took place yesterday outside the Chinese Consulate in Manchester was deeply worrying and has no place in a city region like ours that prides itself on peoples’ right to protest peacefully.

“Greater Manchester Police immediately started a full investigation and are in close touch with the Home Office and Foreign Office.

“It is important that the full facts surrounding this incident are established and for that we will need to wait for the investigation to conclude. However, on the basis of what I have seen, I want to make clear that it is never acceptable for peaceful protestors to be assaulted and those responsible need to be held to account for their actions.”