COPS are hunting a gang of hooded teens who beat a man unconscious in a horrific homophobic attack.
The yobs battered the victim, 22, and his friend, 25, as they waited in a Waitrose car park in Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire, for a lift home at 2.20am on Sunday.
The group of 10 boys and girls – believed to be aged between 16 and 17 – used homophobic insults towards the men, who were with other friends at the time, before assaulting them.
The 22-year-old man was knocked unconscious and suffered fractures to his cheek, eye socket and nose.
The 25-year-old man suffered a split eyebrow, cuts and bruising to his face and fractures to his jaw and hand.
Both victims were taken to Harlow’s Princess Alexandra Hospital by ambulance.
Inspector Gary Bangs, from Hertfordshire police's East Herts local crime unit, said: “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.”
Inspector Bangs added: “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 enquiries.
“Hate crime can have a devastating impact on victims and the wider community as a whole and will simply not be tolerated.”
A police spokeswoman added: "Hertfordshire Constabulary is determined to ensure that LGBT+ communities feel comfortable to approach the force should they ever need to and build confidence within them that they will be taken seriously and treated with sensitivity.
"As part of this, the constabulary has LGBT+ liaison officers who are based all over the county and have been specially trained to support people from LGBT+ communities.”
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