Police want information on hate crime near Westbrook Avenue, Margate
00:00, 10 January 2017
updated: 15:09, 10 January 2017
A teenager has been left frightened to walk to school on his own after a man in a van hurled a tirade of homophobic abuse at him.
The 15-year-old was said to be walking along Westbrook Avenue, Margate, when a man shouted insults at him.
The boy ignored the shouts and carried on walking.
But the van then turned down Westonville Avenue, when one of the passengers again hurled abuse at the youngster.
It was then the van is alleged to have cut across his path and the suspect began to film him on a phone before he managed to get away.
It happened between 12.15pm and 12.30pm on Monday, January 2, and officers want to track down anyone who may have seen a black transit van.
The boy's mum said: "He was walking to a friend's [house] that day, and the van approached from behind with three adult males, they shouted abuse, drove round the block, waited and then followed behind again to hurl more abuse, they then pulled the van across the pavement and blocked his pathway and continued to shout abuse whilst filming him.
"This has left my son very shaken and upset and if anyone sees or knows anything I would please ask you to contact the police with any information. Thank you."
PC Samuel Lay said: "This incident has left the victim in fear and he is now worried about walking to school on his own.
"This kind of behaviour is simply unacceptable and I would ask anyone with information to come forward."
Officers want to hear from anyone who may have seen the footage.
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 01843 222289 quoting reference ZY/000412/17.
Latest news
Multiple vehicles break down amid ‘contaminated fuel’ claims
Driver jailed for squashing man between car and lamppost after parking dispute
Developer claims work has started on homes – but only a few metres of kerb has been laid
‘Cushty! I’ll take that!’: Thug who broke woman’s nose reacts to jail sentence
Most popular
- 1
Motorway blocked due to ‘police incident’
- 2
Inside late TV star’s multi-million-pound home
13 - 3
Everything we know about the Russian ship stranded off Kent carrying explosives
31 - 4
Opening date for swanky new restaurant in Kent high street finally confirmed
11 - 5
Multiple vehicles break down amid ‘contaminated fuel’ claims
27