COUNCIL boss slams a knife-wielding gang who allegedly shouted homophobic abuse at a teenage boy before attacking him in the street. 

The victim was walking towards the supermarket in Clay Hill Road, Basildon, and walked out of a tunnel when he saw a group of men.

One of them reportedly shouted a homophobic comment to him.

As the victim waited at the traffic lights at Southernhay, one of the group told the boy he had a knife.

This suspect then jumped off an orange bike and attacked him, it is claimed.

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The other men in the group joined in the assault and the victim was left with bruises to his face, head and back.

A member of the public stepped in to help the victim and the attackers fled towards the direction of the bus station.

Police launched a witness appeal yesterday appealing for information, just days after the hugely successful Pride Festival in Basildon.

Andrew Baggott, leader of Basildon Council, said the behaviour by the group is abhorrent.

He said: “I think in a civilised society such behaviour is abhorrent.

“It was absolutely right the responsible members of the public stepped in and we have to thank them for that.

“On the flip side though, is with the public stepping in, it also puts them at risk, so I do urge the public to act with caution in some cases, but well done to them.

“I urge any witnesses to please come forward to the police.

“And then when the perpetrators are caught, the full force of the law should be thrown at them as there is no place for people to act like that in this borough or our society.”

The suspects are described as wearing black clothing and balaclavas during the incident at around 4.45pm on Monday, August 15,

An Essex Police spokesman said: “Anyone with information about the incident, or who has footage of it which has not yet been passed to us, is asked to contact us as soon as possible.

“Please quote crime reference number 42/214716/22.

“Submit a report on the force’s website or by using the online Live Chat service available Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) between 10am-9pm.

“Visit www.essex.police.uk/digital101 to find out more about the website reporting services.

“Alternatively, call 101.

“To make an anonymous report, contact independent charity Crimestoppers by visiting their website or by calling 0800 555 111.”