Boy arrested after homophobic abuse in Chichester city centre

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 16 Oct, 12:02 · Archive

A boy has been arrested during a police investigation into homophobic abuse in Chichester city centre. A man in his 20s reported being followed and verbally abused by a group of young men riding bicycles in the Little London car park behind East Street at about 6pm on 13 October. The incident is being treated as a homophobic hate crime.

A 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was arrested on suspicion of using threatening or abusive words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress. He was also arrested on suspicion of shop theft. He has been bailed pending further enquiries and issued with a Community Protection Warning.

Inspector Dave Lyons from Chichester Neighbourhood Policing Team said: 'This was a distressing incident for the victim and we understand the concern it has caused for the wider community. Hate has no place in our communities. We are continuing to work with partner agencies in Chichester to further support victims of crime.' Sussex Police encourages anyone affected by hate crimes to report them.

How it is being reported

• Boy arrested in homophobic abuse investigation after theatre show cancelledA boy has been arrested as police investigate homophobic abuse in Chichester city centre.The Argus · 16 Oct, 11:27
• Boy arrested in connection with homophobic abuse in ChichesterA boy was arrested as part of an ongoing police investigation into homophobic abuse in Chichester city centre, Sussex Police have confirmed.Chichester Observer · 16 Oct, 11:24

In this story: Chichester · Sussex Police · Chichester Festival Theatre · Chichester Neighbourhood Policing Team

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