Six people have been arrested in connection with an alleged homophobic attack in which a man was reportedly struck in the head with a plank of wood.

The males, aged between 16 and 22, were arrested in their homes this morning (November 23) in connection with the incident in Chadwell Heath.

Police are still appealing for witnesses and information about the incident despite the arrests.

At around 5.30pm on October 1, two men in their 20s were walking along High Road.

A group of up to six men were allegedly verbally abusive towards them and made threats.

A group member then allegedly struck one of the pair on the head with a plank of wood, inflicting cuts and bruises and hospitalising him.

Ch Insp Chris Nixon, from the East Area Command Unit, said: “We are keeping the victims updated, and those arrested will be taken to police stations where they’ll be interviewed about their involvement in this attack."

The injured man has been discharged but both were said to be distressed.

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Ch Insp Nixon added: “We are aware of the corrosive effect of hate crime and remain determined to bring those responsible for such crimes to justice."

A LGBTQ+ liaison officer will continue to have oversight of the investigation and provide support to the victims, a Met Police spokesperson said.

Any witnesses or anyone with any information or footage is asked to call police on 101 or contact via ‘X’ Twitter @MetCC. Please quote CAD 5640/01Oct.

To give information anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.