Five Arrests Over Street Harassment
Officers investigating a series of incidents that took place over the course of the weekend of 12/13 January in east London, whereby a small group of individuals were seen to approach and harass members of the public at various locations, are making a specific appeal for a victim seen in a YouTube video to contact them.
The incident was captured on a video uploaded titled 'Muslim vigilantes in London harass and taunt gay male'.
It is not clear to officers at this time where this incident took place or when, but the video shows a small group verbally harass and intimidate a man using homophobic language.
The Community Safety Unit on Tower Hamlets borough is investigating this series of incidents, of which this is one.
Officers are eager to speak to a man in the video and have issued a screen grab from the uploaded video and are appealing for him to contact police.
Detective Chief Inspector Wendy Morgan from Tower Hamlets borough 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."
Additional police patrols are being mounted across east London to reassure our communities.
So far five people have been arrested in connection with this investigation, including;
On 20 January a 22 year old man was arrested in the Acton area. He was later bailed to return to an east London police station on 12 March pending further enquiries.
On 21 January a 19 year old man was arrested after attending an east London police station. He was later bailed to return to an east London police station on 11 March pending further enquiries.
On 24 January two men, aged 25 and 29, were arrested and they remain in custody at east London police stations.
On 25 January a 17-year-old male was arrested in the E17 area. He remains in custody at an east London police station.
Anyone with information relevant to the investigation is asked to contact police at Community Safety unit. DI Cliff Jones, DS Chris Bagshaw or DC Stacey Yarker can be called 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.