Appeal after teenagers repeatedly harassed and assaulted blind man in Coleford

Officers investigating a hate crime are appealing for information after a group of teenagers are reported to have repeatedly harassed and assaulted a blind man in Coleford.

 

In one incident, the group approached the victim on Sunday afternoon (20 April) before riding their mopeds in circles and attempting to punch him.

 

This took place on the corner of Market Place at around 8.30pm and resulted in the victim falling over.

 

Another incident happened last night (Thursday 24 April) when a group verbally abused the man when he was walking his dog in the town centre at around 8.30pm.

 

The victim, who is in his 60s, regularly walks in the area and it is thought that the boys have previously targeted him because of his blindness by shouting abuse and following him around.

 

A member of the public who was in the area at the time of the incident on Sunday helped the man up after the assault and officers are keen to hear from her as she may have witnessed what happened.

 

Investigating officers would also like to hear from anyone who has information that they feel is relevant.

 

CCTV is in the process of being reviewed and enquiries are ongoing.

 

Information can be provided to police online by completing the following form and quoting incident 382 of 20 April: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/

 

The Force has dedicated police and victim support hate crime coordinators who work alongside a strategic hate crime partnership to tackle hate.

 

If you have been affected by hate crime, you can contact the local victim care team in Gloucestershire on 0808 281 0112 or online at: https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/