Met Police release more CCTV images of man they wish to speak to after two victims were stabbed in ‘homophobic attack’ outside London nightclub
Detectives investigating a homophobic double stabbing outside a London gay pub have issued new images of a man they want to trace.
The CCTV grabs, which depict a hooded man wearing a black facemask, show the individual took a route 50 bus in Thornton Heath, Croydon, at around 8.30pm on Sunday, shortly before the attack near the Two Brewers in Clapham at 10.15pm.
The double stabbing saw two men – one in their 20s and one in their 30s – knifed outside the nightclub on Clapham High Street.
Both victims were taken to hospital but have been discharged since.
Met Police officers are searching for the suspect in the attack, which they are treating as homophobic.
Detectives investigating a homophobic double stabbing outside a London gay pub have issued new images of a man they want to trace
The CCTV grabs, which depict a hooded man wearing a black facemask, where taken on a route 50 bus in Thornton Heath at around 8.30pm on Sunday, shortly before the attack outside the Two Brewers in Clapham at 10.15pm
Two men, in their 20s and 30s, were attacked near the Two Brewers in Clapham (pictured) on Sunday evening. Both victims were treated in hospital and discharged
Detective Chief Inspector Jivan Saivb, from the local policing team in Lambeth, said: ‘These images provide a clearer picture of the person we need to identify and locate following this shocking attack.
‘I would urge people to look at these images – do you know this man? Do you recognise the clothes he is wearing? If you can help identify him then please get in touch.’
An earlier CCTV image – taken outside the bar at the time of the attack – showed a masked man dressed in a Nike top and grey hoodie.
One of the victims has spoken out on social media, saying the attack, which is being treated as homophobic, has left him with ‘so many questions’.
The victim, who gave his name only as Neil, wrote: ‘I’ve not been left feeling sad, nor angry, or confused.
‘I’ve just been left so many questions.
An earlier CCTV image – taken outside the bar at the time of the attack – showed a masked man dressed in a Nike top and grey hoodie
‘To think what can lead to changing a person’s mind that much that they can feel its ok (to) attack anyone, whatever their reasons… and how we change that.
‘What today has strengthened in me, more than ever before, is that I could never, and have never, be prouder, happier, or more comforted, by the community I am lucky enough to have as my LGBTQ+ family.’
He posted a photo of himself smiling with bandages wrapped around his head.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan took to Twitter after the stabbing to blame the ‘culture wars’ for the attack.
Mr Khan criticised those who ‘stoke up hate and vilify LGBTQ+ people’, saying: ‘Your culture war has real-life consequences.’
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 or tweet @MetCC and quote CAD 7198/13Aug. You can also provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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