Sussex Police is investigating two homophobic hate crimes in Chichester city centre. A 16-year-old boy has been arrested after a man in his 20s was followed and verbally abused on 13 October, Sussex News reports. Separately, police are appealing to identify a man after an 18-year-old was pushed, headbutted and assaulted outside a club on 1 October, according to another Sussex News report.
Little London car park, 13 October
When and where. About 6pm on Tuesday 13 October, in Little London car park behind East Street.
What happened. The victim, a man in his 20s, said a group of young men on bicycles followed him and verbally abused him. Police are treating it as a homophobic hate crime. Officers visited him at a nearby venue, offered reassurance and took a full statement.
Arrest. A 16-year-old boy, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was arrested on suspicion of using threatening or abusive words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress, and on suspicion of shop theft. He was issued with a Community Protection Warning and bailed while enquiries continue.
Reference. Anyone with information can report it to Sussex Police online, quoting 47260238010.
“Hate has no place in our communities.”
Inspector Dave Lyons, Chichester Neighbourhood Policing Team
Lyons also said: “This was a distressing incident for the victim and we understand the concern it has caused for the wider community.” He says police are continuing to work with partner agencies in Chichester to support victims of crime.
South Street, 1 October: police appeal
When and where. Between 3am and 4am on 1 October, outside Rapscallions Club in South Street.
What happened. An 18-year-old man, who had been on a night out, was with a friend when two men approached them. Police say one of the men acted aggressively. The victim was pushed, headbutted and assaulted further, and needed hospital treatment. Police are treating it as a homophobic hate crime.
The man police want to identify. Of large build, with dark brown hair, wearing dark clothing. He may have said he was from North Wales. Sussex Police has released a CCTV image of him.
Reference. Report information to Sussex Police online, quoting serial 1307 of 01/10.
District Commander Chief Inspector Kay Hutchings says the assault was unprovoked and left the victim “shaken and requiring hospital treatment”. She repeats that “Hate has no place in our communities.”
How to report hate crime
In an emergency, call 999. To report a crime to Sussex Police when it is not an emergency, use the force’s online form or call 101. Hate crime can also be reported through True Vision at report-it.org.uk.
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