Disgusting remarks calling women “dogs” and “easy to get” have been left under vile YouTube videos showing revellers in Manchester – and authorities are concerned
Secret videos of women being filmed without their consent in Manchester city centre are still being shared online – racking up hundreds of millions of views and attracting vile comments from viewers.
Disgusting remarks labelling women as ‘dogs’ and ‘easy to get’, while comparing them to ‘working girls’ and escorts, are inundating recently uploaded clips, some of which have garnered over 40 million views. Other viewers also make derogatory comments about the weight of women featured in the footage.
The recent wave of video uploads has led police to encourage any victims to step forward to determine if a crime has been committed – with Greater Manchester Deputy Mayor Kate Green describing the clips and ‘misogynistic’ comments as ‘concerning’.
This disturbing nightlife trend, which first appeared on TikTok several years ago, involves clips of women being posted online without their knowledge while they’re out socialising, typically in the Deansgate or Spinningfields areas of the city, reports the Manchester Evening News (MEN).
The increase in incidents and various accounts, which previously prompted a police response, focus on women who are unaware they’re being recorded.
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Following an initial report by the Manchester Evening News back in 2022, one account was banned from TikTok for ‘violating community guidelines’, but many more continue to post regularly online on other platforms.
A series of voyeuristic videos, seemingly targeting young women often under the influence, have been circulating on YouTube. One particular channel, which we’ve chosen not to name, has shockingly amassed over 300 million views in less than three months since its creation.
The timeline of all the videos is unclear, as is whether they were all recorded by this specific channel, but it seems a number of them were filmed throughout 2023.
Branding itself as the ‘ultimate guide to Manchester nightlife’, the page currently hosts 151 different videos, the majority of which appear to be shot in Manchester and predominantly feature groups of young women.
One video, capturing two women strolling down Deansgate, astonishingly racked up 42 million views in just a few weeks. Another clip, showing a pair of young women sat on a wall chatting, has already garnered 43 million views since its upload in June.
Under false pretences, the channel encourages viewers to subscribe for ‘exclusive nightlife coverage’ and ‘hidden gems you won’t find in travel guides’, while claiming to be based in Pakistan.
These YouTube shorts, vertical videos akin to those seen on Instagram and TikTok, have unfortunately attracted thousands of derogatory or sexist comments about the weight, appearance and attire of the unsuspecting women featured in the footage, who are unaware they’re being filmed and broadcasted online to millions.
A disturbing voyeuristic clip shared in June features two women strolling together along Deansgate in Manchester. One of the women is captured adjusting her top whilst chatting to her mate.
One remark, which garnered 180 likes, states: “Women: Don’t treat me like an object? But she can present herself as one.” Another comment compared the city to Amsterdam’s ‘Red Light District’, whilst a third suggested the women looked ‘easy to get’.
A fourth remark declares: “If it’s not for sale, don’t put it in the window.” Under another 20-second clip, featuring various brief segments of groups of women, there was a torrent of additional remarks from watchers.
One branded those in the footage as ‘working girls’ whilst another penned: “Sadly they truly believe they’re attractive”.
“Leaving nothing to [the] imagination” stated another, whilst a fourth declared: “Working girls have definitely changed over the years.
“I see a group of 6s or 7s that are 4s and 5s without all the paint,” another viewer remarked whilst a separate comment declared: “The type you pick up for one night then run a mile from the next morning.”
Numerous other clips also drew similar remarks, with one stating: “Who let the dogs out?” and another adding: “The mingers of Manchester.
“A moment on the lips a lifetime on the hips. These things need to go on a calorie controlled diet and attend the gym,” declared another. Viewers have expressed their disgust at a series of ‘creepy’ videos posted on a social media channel, many of which have attracted hundreds of ‘cruel’ comments and shares.
One disgruntled viewer commented: “So you post stalker / peeping videos of unsuspecting women going out at night. What kind of channel is that?” Another added: “Nice to see these girls have confidence. Rather than covering themselves up. All these negative comments are cruel and unnecessary.”
A previous investigation by the Manchester Evening News revealed how one vlogger was sharing private videos of women in Manchester to paying subscribers on a Patreon page, despite receiving a warning from YouTube.
For a monthly fee of £13, the clips focused on women’s chests and bottoms as they were followed. In one particularly disturbing clip, a woman’s full breast was exposed and filmed in slow motion as it slipped from her top.
The video was later taken down.
In November last year, a man was arrested on suspicion of voyeurism and harassment after a series of secretly-filmed videos of Manchester’s nightlife were published online. This marked the first arrest in the country related to viral videos on social media platforms filming women on nights out.
The man remains on bail while investigations continue. However, this unsettling trend isn’t confined to Manchester. It was found that similar videos had been posted on various other pages, seemingly filmed in London, Liverpool, and Leeds.
Greater Manchester Police has informed the MEN that whilst it isn’t against the law to record individuals in public areas without permission, ‘women and girls should feel secure during nights out’.
Ladies who find themselves being filmed in a way that causes them worry or upset should immediately get in touch with police about the matter – an appeal now shared by the Deputy Mayor.
This is due to the fact that every reported incident can be examined on its own merits.
Whilst general behaviour might not be categorised as stalking, harassment or public order violations, certain individual cases could be.
Ongoing and unwanted conduct, such as a victim reporting repeated behaviours that cause alarm and distress, might push the circumstances into criminal territory, especially as a harassment complaint.
Officers in uniform and plain clothes are continuing to monitor city centre trouble spots during evening hours to guarantee women’s safety, the force confirmed.
Meanwhile, the Safer Streets programme in Greater Manchester, backed by the GMCA and Greater Manchester Police, concentrates on enhancing the security of public areas, especially for women and girls, whilst reducing crime and antisocial behaviour.
Superintendent Stephen Wiggins, of Greater Manchester Police, said: “Ensuring people feel as safe as possible when out in the city is a priority for our local policing team, and we’ve been very clear that videos such as these are intolerable.
“It’s the kind of behaviour that can make women feel uncomfortable on a night out and when it crosses the line of harassment then it becomes a criminal matter.
“We’ve already taken action in arresting one suspect in relation to a number of online videos that appear to focus on women in the city centre.
“It’s possible that this potentially criminal material continues to be circulated by other accounts online, which we strongly discourage, but we are not currently aware of any new content.
“However, we will look through the footage supplied to us by the MEN and if there is any suggestion of further suspects and offences then we will explore all legal avenues available to us.
“Our officers continue to take proactive action against the harassment of women and girls in Manchester’s night life, which has led to an increase in arrests for related issues such as upskirting.”
After uncovering the fresh YouTube channel, the Manchester Evening News reached out to the Google-owned platform seeking comment.
The tech giant explained that its privacy complaint procedure enables users to flag material containing ‘their image or other personally identifiable information. ‘.
Only the individual whose privacy has been breached, along with their legal representative or guardian, can submit privacy complaints through their online portal.
The page remained live.
The Manchester Evening News also tried to get in touch with the YouTube channel directly, but received no reply. The emergence of these clips arrives merely days after Mayor Andy Burnham unveiled the newest phase of the region’s drive to highlight coercive, controlling and misogynistic conduct towards women across Greater Manchester.
Deputy Mayor Kate Green declared it is ‘never acceptable’ for women to be filmed without consent whilst ‘enjoying a night out’ and provided assurance that Greater Manchester Police would take action where criminal behaviour is captured.
The Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester for Safer and Stronger Communities, stated: “It is never acceptable for women to be harassed or recorded against their will while simply enjoying a night out. Everyone has the right to feel safe when on a night out, and these videos are making many not feel safe, which is not ok.
“Our Gender-Based Violence (GBV) strategy is incredibly important to us, and we work closely with GMP and other partners to ensure tackling GBV is an absolute priority. Our #IsThisOK campaign encourages people to call out every day sexist and misogynistic behaviours and we have been very encouraged by the success of this.
“The continuation of these videos being shared online and the comments they gather is concerning, but I am confident that when the filming crosses the line into criminality, GMP will act robustly to stop this.
“GMP’s ‘Safer Streets’ initiative has invested in uniformed officers in city centre locations at busy times to ensure peoples’ safety, and our Good Night Out Guide also gives advice for everyone to keeping safe.”
