A 16-year-old boy is the latest person that’s arrested in relation to the attack
Detectives investigating a homophobic attack and robbery of two women in London have made a fifth arrest.
A 16-year-old boy was arrested on Saturday, 8 June on suspicion of robbery and aggravated GBH.
He is currently in custody.
Four males aged between 15-18 were previously arrested on Friday, 7 June on suspicion of robbery and aggravated GBH. They remain in custody at separate London police stations for questioning.
The Met Police are appealing for witnesses and information.
The incident happened on the N31 bus route in Camden, London at approximately 2.30am on Thursday, 30 May. The two women, both aged in their 20s, boarded the bus in West Hampstead.
As they sat on the top deck they were approached by a group of males who began to make lewd and homophobic comments to them. The women were then attacked and punched several times before the males ran off the bus. A phone and bag were stolen during the assault.
Both women were taken to hospital for treatment of facial injuries. They have now been discharged.
Detective Superintendent Andy Cox has said: “This was a disgusting attack on two women who appear to have been picked out and targeted by a group of youths. The suspects have made a number of homophobic comments towards the couple before throwing coins at them. When the women tried to reason with the group, the attack escalated to an assault.
“CCTV footage from the attack is being reviewed by detectives. We continue to appeal for information from the public, particularly those who were present on the bus before or after the attack to come forward and tell police what they saw.
In a Facebook post, Melania Geymonat, one of the women that was attacked, wrote: “Chris even pretended she was sick, but they kept on harassing us, throwing us coins and becoming more enthusiastic about it.
“The next thing I know is that Chris is in the middle of the bus fighting with them. On an impulse, I went over there only to find her face bleeding and three of them beating her up.
“The next thing I know is I’m being punched. I got dizzy at the sight of my blood and fell back. I don’t remember whether or not I lost consciousness. Suddenly the bus had stopped, the police were there and I was bleeding all over.”
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has condemned the assault, calling it a “disgusting, misogynistic attack” and said that hate crimes against LGBTQ people “will not be tolerated in London”.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or who has information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact police on 101 or tweet @MetCC and quote CAD737/30May.
Alternatively, witnesses can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Fifth arrest made following homophobic attack on a bus in Camden https://t.co/NIWQLJZGoA pic.twitter.com/swGHcLtRMa
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) June 8, 2019
