Police appeal after gay teens abused in Hampshire gadget shop
Police are seeking witnesses after a young gay couple were subjected to homophobic verbal abuse in shop in Basingstoke, Hampshire.
Hampshire police said at 3.10pm on February 12, a 17-year-old and 18-year-old boys were in the CeX shop on Wote Street.
The younger teen had been leaving the shop when he heard raised voices behind him.
Returning inside he saw a group of four or five teenage boys shouting homophobic abuse at his partner.
The couple then tried to leave the shop but police said the group followed them and pushed the 17-year-old.
The people in the group are described as all male, aged between 18 and 25, all roughly 5ft 8ins tall, varied in build from slim to slightly stocky. Two members of the group were wearing hooded tops and two were wearing hats. All spoke with local accents.
PC Aiden Blackwell said: “This was an isolated incident which occurred during a busy Sunday afternoon in the town centre.
“It is not acceptable for people to suffer this kind of abuse due to their sexuality and I would urge anyone who knows anything about this incident to contact me as soon as possible.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Blackwell at Basingstoke Police Station on 101 or call the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111. Mini-Com users can call 01962 875000. From outside Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, please call 0845 045 45 45.
