Gay hate stabbing on canal towpath - 36 year old in stable condition following attack near Camden Lock Bridge
Published: 17 February 2011
by JOSIE HINTON
A MAN was stabbed on the canal towpath in Camden Town in what is believed to be a homophobic attack.
The 36-year-old was with two friends when he was approached by four men at around 2.15am on Monday morning after spending an evening at The Black Cap, in Camden High Street.
One of the men asked him, “are you gay?”, then walked away when he was ignored. He returned shortly afterwards and stabbed the victim in the leg and chest.
Ambulance crews attended the scene near Camden Lock Bridge and the man was taken to hospital. He is in a stable condition.
A section of the towpath was cordoned off until lunchtime on Monday while crime scene photographers gathered evidence.
The four men are described as black, and aged between 20 and 25.
Detective Inspector Les Newman, who is leading the investigation, said: “This was a cowardly and unprovoked attack on three innocent males making their way home. This is being treated as a homophobic incident, and the investigation team is working closely with the local community to identify those responsible.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact Camden police on 020 8733 6474 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Although police believe this assault was a homophobic attack, it is being treated as an isolated incident. Safer Neighbourhoods officers are currently conducting additional patrols and officers have visited local venues to reassure the LGBT community.