GLOUCESTER, January 25: – Police in Gloucestershire are appealing for information, especially from the local gay community, following what is being treated as a homophobic assault on a man at a local spot frequented by gays.

The incident happened in the early hours of Saturday January 15 when a 33 years-old man was seriously assaulted by four of five male attackers all dressed in casual clothing.  One of the attackers is said to have “long blond hair”.

It is believed that the offenders may have left the scene at Barrow Wake Viewpoint, just off  the A417 at Birdlip, in the victim’s car – a silver Volkswagen Polo.  The burned-out car was later found in the Cheltenham area.

As a result of the attack, the victim suffered head injuries and concussion.  He was taken to hospital and was admitted for observation overnight.  In addition, the victim’s wallet was stolen.

“With the full co-operation of the victim, we are treating the crime as a homophobic attack,” said PC Martin Roddy, an executive support officer in the Chief Constable’s office.

“If anyone can help bring the offenders to justice, please contact us,” PC Roddy said.  “All calls with be treated with the utmost confidence and if any gay man has information he can speak with one of our specialist gay liaison officers by phoning 0845 090 1234 and asking for a gay liaison officer."  He said that normally there is a gay liaison officer on duty 24 hours a day.

“Alternatively, anyone with information can anonymously call Crimestoppers on Freephone 0800 555 111,” he added.

Gloucestershire police, like other forces, is taking all forms of homophobic crime very seriously and are trying to get the “report it” message across to the LGBT community.  Homophobic crime includes harassment, bullying and verbal abuse, in addition to physical attacks, based on sexuality.

PC Roddy said that a homophobic incident is defined as: “Any incident which is perceived to be homophobic by the victim or any other person”.

The County force is part of the True Vision organisation, supported by 23 police forces in England and Wales and the Crown Prosecution Service. The organisation is targeting both racial/religious and homophobic hate crime.  Copies of True Vision’s free pocket-sized information pack “Being Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender Is Not a Crime, Hate Crime Is” can be obtained from most police stations in Gloucestershire.

LINKS

True Vision website
Gloucestershire Constabulary website
Gloucestershire Constabulary Diversity website

25 January  2005