2 arrested in UK for hate crime against 'emo'

LONDON (AP) — British police say they have arrested two people over an assault on an "emo" teenage boy — the first to be recorded in the country as an alternative subculture hate crime.

Short for "emotional punk," the term refers to a style of rock music and associated fashion.

Greater Manchester Police said they detained a 14-year-old boy and a 44-year-old man after receiving reports that a 16-year-old boy who described himself as an "emo" was assaulted.

The police force said last week they would begin recording offenses against members of "Goths, emos, punks and metallers" in the same way they do attacks based on race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or transgender identity.

Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan said Thursday it was positive that police identified the assault as a hate crime.