DON T suffer in silence. That s the message to the gay community who have been concerned by a spate of attacks in the Shoreditch area, including the assault last summer of a young man who was paralysed after he was badly injured in the incident. At a m

DON'T' suffer in silence.

That's the message to the gay community who have been concerned by a spate of attacks in the Shoreditch area, including the assault last summer of a young man who was paralysed after he was badly injured in the incident.

At a meeting at the Joiners Arms in Hackney Road police and politicians from Tower Hamlets and Hackney asked people to report any incidents including name calling so that they can be investigated.

Incidents can be reported to police via reporting boxes in the two pubs - anonymously if necessary.

Tower Hamlets councillor Josh Peck pledged that lighting in streets near pubs the George and Dragon and Joiners Arms will be improved to make people feel safer.

Dave Pollard, the landlord of the Joiners Arms said: "It's not just a gay issue. People are being attacked for how they look. They should be able to walk down the street without fear.