A gang of ten teenager’s attacked two men in a Waitrose parking lot, leaving them both with serious injuries.
Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward with any information about the unprovoked attack, which took place in a Waitrose car park in Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire during the early hours of last Sunday (August 8).
The two victims were said to be waiting for a ride home in the car park around 2:20am when a gang of hooded teens – who are understood to be boys and girls aged between 16 and 17 – surrounded the two men, aged 22 and 25, making homophobic slurs before launching a physical attack.
A 22-year-old man was knocked unconscious and suffered multiple fractures to his cheek, eye socket and nose, while a 25-year-old suffered bruising and cuts across his face, a split eyebrow and fractures to his jaw and hand.
Both victims were taken to Harlow’s Princess Alexandra Hospital by ambulance.
Inspector Gary Bangs, from the East Herts police, told The Sun: “This despicable attack was completely unprovoked and left both men with serious injuries. They are being supported by specially trained hate crime officers at what is understandably a very difficult time.”
“Meanwhile, our inquiries are continuing to trace those responsible and we are appealing for anyone with information to please come forward. Did you see a large group of people in the area around the time stated? Any information, no matter how seemingly insignificant, could greatly assist our inquiries.”
He continued: “Hate crime can have a devastating impact on victims and the wider community as a whole and will simply not be tolerated.”