In the past three months there have been three separate attacks on homosexuals in Clapham.
The first incident took place on the 30th of august on Windmill Drive at approximately 16:09.
Whereby two men threatened a local homosexual man, who does not wish to be named, and then went on to attempt to physically assault the man who was able to get away.
It is thought that the two attackers targeted the man because of his sexuality.
The victim contacted the police and notified them of how he was threatened and almost punched by the aggressors. However he did not wish to take any further action.
PC David Brunton, who is Lambeth’s LGBT Liaison officer, put out a statement on the attacks. “We take homophobic crime incredibly seriously and would urge any victims to come forward to the police, Lambeth council or organisations like GALOP – who are a LGBT anti-violence and abuse charity.”
Since then it is believed that there has been two more attacks on the homosexual community, one taking place in September and the other in October.
“We have heard there have been a number of attacks on the LGBT community which has not been reported to the police.” Says PC Brunton as part of his statement acknowledging the attacks.
It is now being understood that homosexuals specifically have become a target in the urban area.
The local community are now fearful that these attacks may continue.
“The police need to do something about this to be honest, because what if an attack happens this month or next month it will just continue so the police need to nip it in the bud so everyone especially gay people around here feel safe” says Clapham resident Peter Reid, 29.
Other Clapham habitants, like Thomas Barnes, find these events simply disgusting “It’s a shame really as Clapham is thought to be an accepting community, so the fact that these people are being targeted because they are gay is just not right.
I thought we had progressed pass this but its obvious that some people are stupid enough to still have a mentality where they cant accept anyone and everyone.”
“I think its really bad that attacks are going on in the area full stop as Clapham is so lively and friendly but its even worse that local gay people may start to feel unsafe because of these specific assaults.” Says 24-year-old Layla Morris, who doesn’t live in the area but spends a lot of her time locally.
The attacks are yet to be investigated into or solved due to there being only one report and lack of evidence, however the Clapham community remain hopeful that this is the end of these targeted attacks.
