Pic: Kenjonbro/Flickr

Following a police appeal the victim of the latest ‘Muslim Patrol’ video has come forward.

The Metropolitan Police launched an appeal on January 24 to find the victim of a homophobic attack that was videoed and posted onto YouTube by a self-named group of vigilantes.

This video, named ‘Muslim Vigilantes in London harass and taunt gay male’, is the latest in a series of videos posted by the ‘Muslim Patrol’.

In the video the group are heard to shout: “Get out of here you fag… don’t stay around here any more”.

The victim came forward on Monday, January 28, and is currently being interviewed by officers at an east London police station.

Detective Chief Inspector Wendy Morgan from Tower Hamlets borough said: “The Met takes such homophobic behaviour very seriously.

“This man is a crucial witness in the investigation and we would encourage anyone else with information relating to this incident to make contact in confidence as soon as possible.”

Lutfur Rahman, Mayor of Tower Hamlets, has issued a statement to say: “I strongly condemn these incidents. I’m proud to stand with the London Muslim Centre, Inter Faith Forum and Rainbow Hamlets against the peddlers of division and intolerance.

“I understand that several people from outside the borough have been arrested and have every confidence that the police will continue to make sure residents and visitors feel safe and welcome in Tower Hamlets.

“I am proud of the community cohesion in our borough and we know that the vast majority of residents believe that people from all backgrounds should be treated with dignity and respect.”

In a Friday sermon at East London Mosque in Tower Hamlets, which was uploaded to YouTube and has received over 35,000 views, Sheikh Shams Ad Duha referred to the harm that is caused by: “Stupid acts like going up to somebody, an innocent person on the street.”

He also adds: “This is actually wrong Islamically” and this small minority are “complete bigots.”

Further investigations are being carried out by The Community Safety Unit of the Metropolitan police.

[info]Five men have been arrested since the initial incidents took place on January 12, 2013:
-On January 20 a man, 22, was arrested in the Acton area. He was bailed to return to an east London police station on March 12.
-On January 21, a man, 19, was arrested after attending an east London police station. He was bailed to return to an east London police station on March 11.
-On January 24, two men, aged 25 and 29, were arrested and then bailed to return to an east London police station on March 12.
-On January 25, a male, 17, was arrested and also bailed to return to an east London police station on March 12.[/info]