Two men were taken to hospital after being stabbed in a homophobic attack outside a nightclub.
The pair, one aged in their 20s and the other in their 30s, were outside the Two Brewers Bar on Clapham High Street, south London at around 10.15pm on Sunday when they were targeted.
They were treated in hospital and discharged.
Metropolitan Police are searching for the suspect in the attack they are treating as homophobic.
Detective Inspector Gary Castle said: “We are acutely aware of the shock this attack will cause members of the LGBT+ community and want to reassure people that an urgent investigation is ongoing to locate the person responsible.
“We recently announced the reinstatement of LGBT+ community liaison officers for each of our 12 basic command units in London to support and advise on investigations where homophobia is a motive, and to ensure the community has a dedicated point of contact to address any concerns they may have.”
Anyone with information can call police on 101 or tweet @MetCC and quote CAD 7198/13Aug, or to remain anonymous contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.
A popular LGBT+ venue, The Two Brewers is a cabaret bar and dance club offering drag performances, karaoke and live screenings of popular TV show RuPaul’s Drag Race.
On Sunday evening, the venue had been hosting a cabaret event as part of its Sunday Funday Cabaret. The line-up included performers Mary Mac, Gladys Duffy, Sandra, Marsha Mallow and DJ Demon.
Following the incident, leading LGBT+ charity Stonewall accused the UK government of sitting “idle” amidst a string of violent attacks, referencing a backdrop of rising hate crime.
“We are appalled to hear that two men have been stabbed in an apparent homophobic attack outside a LGBTQ+ venue in Clapham. This incident has occurred amidst a climate of rising hate crime against people based on sexual orientation – which government statistics show as having more than doubled in England and Wales over the last five years”, Kieran Aldred, Head of Policy at Stonewall, told The Independent.
“Despite these alarming statistics and a string of violent, and in some unfortunate cases deadly, attacks, the UK Government has sat idle and there has been no hate crime strategy in place in England for over three years. It is unacceptable for LGBTQ+ people to live in fear, and we call on the UK Government to set out its plan to deal with rising homophobic and transphobic violence.”
“It’s totally unacceptable for these attacks to continue on our high street”, David Robson, Lambeth Labour Chair and Councillor for Clapham Town tweeted. “I’m relieved the victims have been discharged”, he said, thanking the bar’s security.
“It’s shocking and disgusting that in 2023 this is becoming frighteningly more frequent”, Mary Mac added.
“The team at The Two Brewers were incredible in dealing with this and keeping us inside the venue safe, glad the victims have been discharged and hope they are with loved ones now to help.”
Fellow performer Marsha Mallow described the event as “heartbreaking.”
“Heartbreaking scenes last night, but I’m so glad the victims have been discharged”, their tweet read.
“Well done to the Two Brewers for handling it so professionally and not letting it escalate.
“This is in 2023 people…stay safe.”