Police hold meeting to deal with East End gay attacks
Police are holding a public meeting to encourage people to report homophobic attacks in the East End of London.
Earlier this summer, the George and Dragon pub, a gay bar in Shoreditch, was reportedly surrounded by around 20 youths who tried to storm the pub and attacked smokers in the street.
There have also been claims of youths harassing drinkers at the Joiners Arms, another gay pub up the road.
However, police say they cannot deal with the incidents as they are not being reported.
Detective sergeant Craig Robinson said: āThere has been an increase in patrols in the area, but we are not having crimes reported to us. We urge people to come forward, confidentially if they wish.”
Last year, a 21-year-old student was left paralysed after being attacked on his way to the George and Dragon in Boundary Road.
The police call to report homophobic crimes follows an appeal last week by the head of the Metropolitan Police, Sir Paul Stephenson, who urged gay and lesbian crime victims to come forward.
The meeting is to be held on Thursday evening (August 6th) at St Hildaās community centre in Club Row at 6.30pm.
