Appeal to trace victim of homophobic abuse by ‘Muslim patrol’

Luke Jacobs Thursday, January 24, 2013
7:02 AM

A man targeted by a self-styled “Muslim patrol” while out walking in Whitechapel is the subject of a police appeal.

It is believed he was victim of harassment and intimidation by a group of vigilantes using homophonic language. The incident was uploaded to YouTube.

Officers are keen to speak to the man (pictured above) seen in the video. In it, a gang can been seen to abuse him, shouting: “get out of here you fag... don’t stay around here any more”.

Police are now investigating a series of incidents said to have taken place over the weekend of January 12 and 13, where a group was seen to approach and harass passers-by at various places in the borough.

Detective Chief Inspector Wendy Morgan said: “The Met takes such homophobic behaviour very seriously.

This man is a crucial witness in the investigation and would encourage him and anyone else with information relating to this incident to make contact in confidence as soon as possible.”

Police patrols have been stepped up across east London as a result of the incident.

Two men, aged 19 and 22, have been arrested in connection with the investigation. Both have been bailed to return to an east London police station on a dates in February and March pending further enquiries.

Anyone with information relevant to the investigation is asked to contact DI Cliff Jones, DS Chris Bagshaw or DC Stacey Yarker on 020 7275 4758 or via 101.

They can also be emailed at thcsu@met.police.uk or Crimestoppers can be called anonymously on 0800 555 111.