Police investigating self-styled “Muslim patrols” have made a fifth arrest today.
A 17-year-old man was arrested in Walthamstow in connection with a string of incidents in east London over the weekend of January 12 and 13 where the group harassed members of the public.
A video posted on YouTube showed the gang hurling homophobic abuse at one man, who the police have urged to come forward.
In a second video, also posted online, men tell another man in Fieldgate Street, Whitechapel “no drink in this area, it’s a Muslim area” before ordering him to pour away his alcohol.
The latest arrest is the fifth to be made in connection with the case.
A 22-year-old man was arrested in Acton, west London on Sunday, and a 19-year-old man was held after going to an east London police station on Monday.
They have been bailed to return to police on March 12 and March 11 respectively.
Two men aged 25 and 29 were arrested last night.
Police are still appealing for the men shown in one of the videos to come forward.
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 him and anyone else with information relating to this incident to make contact in confidence as soon as possible.”
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