An investigation is underway after three teenagers allegedly threw eggs at patrons inside Proud, an LGBTQ+ cafe-bar in Gloucester’s Kings Square, in a suspected homophobic hate crime.
The incident occurred on the evening of February 4, around 8 pm, when eggs were hurled inside the venue, striking several individuals and causing damage to a laptop. Gloucestershire Police have launched an inquiry and are actively seeking to identify two of the children involved.
On March 26, police released CCTV images of the two minors and urged anyone with information to come forward. A spokesperson for the force emphasized the seriousness of the incident, stating, “This act is being treated as a suspected hate crime targeting people because of their sexual orientation. We want to identify those responsible and encourage members of the community to assist us.”
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The police also highlighted that hate crimes involve targeting individuals based on race, religion, sexual orientation, transgender identity, or disability, and urged victims or witnesses to report such incidents through official channels.
Proud Gloucester announced its permanent closure on March 1, citing the challenging hospitality environment and mounting pressures as contributing factors. The venue expressed pride in the safe and welcoming space they provided during their five months of operation despite the difficulties faced.