Appeal Following Homophobic Halloween Attack by Men 'Dressed in Fairy Costumes'

Police are appealing for information to help find two suspects accused of launching a homophobic attack on two men while dressed in pink tutus.

Two men, aged 21 and 18, were attacked in the early hours of 1 November in Surbiton, south west London by two males "dressed as fairies" for Halloween.

Police were called following reports of males fighting outside the KFC restaurant in Brighton Road, Surbiton.

Both victims were walking along Victoria Road when they passed a group of two men, one of whom subjected the victims to homophobic abuse.

The two victims walked away but when they reached the zebra crossing nearby the two suspects approached them and began assaulting the men, including kicking and stamping on them while they lay on the ground

Police said the attack only stopped after members of the public intervened and the suspects ran off.

Brian Kingsford, the father of one of the victims Robbie Kingsford, launched a Facebook appeal in order to help find those responsible for attacking his son. He also uploaded a photo of the 21-year-old's face to show the extent of his injuries.

He wrote: "My son had this happen to him in Surbiton High Street. The two people that did this were dressed as pink fairies and the police are now looking for them.

"These thugs need to be caught if you know who these two people were and have any conscience please report them to the police as next time they may just kill someone.

"I will add that police have my sons clothing for DNA testing and checking all CCTV cameras so if these two are known they will get caught."

Trainee Detective Constable Ann-Marie Hodgkiss said: "This was a violent and unprovoked (homophobic) hate crime and I am appealing for anyone with any information about the incident to contact me.

"The two suspects were distinctively dressed, probably due to Halloween, and I would urge anyone who recognises their description and who may know who they are to contact me and help us trace them."

Police described the first suspect a white man, aged in his late twenties, with fair hair that was shaven, a muscular build and short in height

The second suspect was also a white man in his late 20s, with short brown hair. Both men were wearing pink tutus.

Anyone with information can contact the Community Safety Unit at Kingston Police Station on 0208 721 5858 or via 101, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.