Police say homophophic attack must remind party-goers to be vigilant
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The Metropolitan Police have warned gay party-goers to be vigilant when leaving venues following the two gay men being subjected to a homophobic assault whilst waiting for a bus in Brixton during the early hours of Sunday morning.
The incident that took place at or around 3 am on Sunday 9th April 2006 required both victims to receive medical attention from the London Ambulance Service whilst they reporting the attack to officers at Brixton police station. The victims did not require hospital treatment.
Grahame Alldus, LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered) liaison officer for Lambeth Police told PinkNews.co.uk that the pair “were a couple were holding hands,” adding: “it’s a perfectly normal thing to do.”
The two suspects fled after they were chased by passers by. The incident is being investigated by Lambeth Police’s Community Safety Unit who are treating the attack as a homophobic crime.
Mr Allduse told PinkNews.co.uk that “party-goers must be aware of their surroundings, particularly late at night. Bars and clubs provide a safer environment for socialising – especially for LGBT people.
“Party-goers need to be aware of where they are, what they are doing, and who may be paying them unwanted attention. Just as you are vigilant when you are taking money out of a cash machine, you need to remain alert to who is watching you when you leave a gay venue.”
Any witnesses to this incident are urged to contact the LGBT liaison team at Brixton Police Station in confidence on 020 8649 2099.