Police have released a CCTV image of a man they want to identify after an attack, being treated as homophobic, in which two people were stabbed outside a south London nightclub.
The Metropolitan police are searching for a man pictured on CCTV, after two men were injured outside the Two Brewers in Clapham High Street. The image was taken at about 10.15pm on Sunday, the same time as the attack.
The victims, one in their 20s and the other in their 30s, are thought to have been targeted and stabbed in what the police are treating as a homophobic attack. They were treated in hospital and later discharged.
DCI Jivan Saib said: “I am asking the public to look at this image and see if they recognise this individual – it is vital that we identify and locate him as soon as possible.
“Officers have already collated witness accounts and scoured CCTV for evidence and this work remains ongoing. I appreciate those who have come forward and spoken to police but would ask that if you were in the area and saw these events unfold, but have yet to contact us, then please do so.”
In a series of posts on Twitter, the LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall wrote: “We are appalled to hear that two men have been stabbed in an apparent homophobic attack outside a LGBTQ+ venue in Clapham. It is unacceptable for LGBTQ+ people to live in fear. We call on the UK government to set out its plan to deal with rising hate crime.”
The charity said the incident had occurred in “a climate of rising hate crime against people based on sexual orientation”, adding that government statistics show these crimes have more than doubled in England and Wales over the last five years.
“Despite these alarming statistics and a string of violent, and in some unfortunate cases deadly, attacks, the UK government has sat idle and there has been no hate crime strategy in place in England for over three years,” the charity added.
PC Hayley Jones, who is the dedicated LGBT+ community liaison officer for Lambeth and Southwark, said: “We understand some people from the LGBT+ community may not have the confidence to speak to police; my role was introduced to provide a dedicated LGBT+ point of contact to support the community and advise on investigations where homophobia and transphobia is a motive. You can contact me directly for advice and support, or to assist this investigation.”
Police have asked anyone with information to contact them on 101 or via @MetCC on Twitter, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or online.
