Exclusive: Metropolitan Police fail to contact victim of third attack outside Two Brewers

The Metropolitan Police have been accused of failing to investigate an alleged assault on a third man in Clapham, just a week before two other men were stabbed in a homophobic attack.

The victim, who wants to remain anonymous, told ITV News that he was punched in the face in a random attack in the early hours of August 6.

The assault left him with a black eye and a bleeding nose. 

He told ITV News: "There was a group of guys standing down the side of the Two Brewers and when I turned around I saw a random guy running towards me and before I knew it he had punched me in the face.

"I obviously brought my hands up to my face to see what had just happened and when I moved my hands away from my face they were covered in blood and the guy had run away."

ITV News has verified that the victim reported the attack and that the Met Police received and logged his call. But he said he had yet to be contacted by an investigating officer.

A representative from the force did eventually contact the victim after ITV News approached the Met Police press office, promising that an investigating officer would be in touch in the coming days.

His boyfriend reported the incident again yesterday, following Sunday's homophobic stabbing of two other men, which police are investigating.

Also wishing to remain anonymous, his boyfriend told us: "They did nothing other than give him a crime reference number. I reported it yesterday as he had heard nothing.

"It does make me very angry that they haven't even bothered and that people can just go around punching people."

The revelations raise further concerns about a rise in homophobic hate crime and the protection of the LGBT+ community.

The Metropolitan Police said there was no record of the attack being homophobically motivated or any evidence that it was linked to Sunday's stabbings.

A spokesperson for the Met said: "Police were called at approximately 4.20am on Sunday, 6 August by a man reporting he had been assaulted by another man in Clapham High Street, SW4.

"Officers attended and spoke to the victim – aged in his 30s. He stated he had been punched by an unknown man who had left the scene. He did not know why he had been attacked.

"Officers carried out a medical assessment and the man declined to go to hospital.

"A crime report has been created and enquiries into the circumstances continue. Officers will endeavour to contact the victim and update him with any progress.

"Anyone with information is asked to call 101 or tweet @MetCC and quote CAD 1266/6Aug. You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."

Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know.