Hate crime appeal after teenage couple targeted

Officers investigating a hate crime incident want to speak to these two individuals.

Police were notified after a teenage couple were harassed before then receiving physical and verbal abuse.

Both had homophobic language aimed at them during the incident, while one of the victims was punched multiple times.

He was knocked to the floor during the incident – injuring his head and knees in the process.

The couple were targeted by a group of people outside Co-op, in University Boulevard, Beeston, around 7pm on Saturday 20 June.

Police have been investigating the incident since it happened and are now appealing to the public for assistance.

PC Chris Cutts, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:

"The behaviour reported during this incident was completely unacceptable and has no place in our society.

"At this stage, we have strong cause to believe this was a hate crime, with the victims reportedly subjected to homophobic abuse as this happened.

"Our understanding is that both the people in these pictures will be able to assist us with our ongoing investigation.

"On that note, I'd urge them to do the right thing and contact the police, while I'd also ask anyone who recognises them to share this information with us.

"We also want to hear from anyone else who may have information relating to this incident."

The police can be contacted directly on 101, quoting incident 651 of 20 June 2026, while Crimestoppers can also be reached anonymously on 0800 555 111.