A PLEA has gone out for information about three young people from Aveley who verbally abused a man on a bus - then ran away when he attempted to confront them about their actions.

The incident happened on the 372 bus from Lakeside last evening (Wednesday, 19 August when the man believes he was singled out for abuse because of his homosexuality.

As the bus was travelling through Aveley, he was subjected to verbal abuse by a teenage boy and two girls of similar age. And that led to them striking him as they left the vehicle when it stopped in Aveley.

His partner, Ian Fixter from Rainham, explained what happened. "My partner Stevie was on the bus and sat on his own when he became aware of comments from the teenagers.

"Among other things they called him a faggot. I don't know how they knew about his sexuality, neither Stevie nor myself are conspiciously gay. Not did he do anything to draw attention to himself or make contact with the young people.

"Perhaps it is because he is a hairdresser at Lakeside and they have seen him there.

"Whatever the reason, it escalated into them striking and assaulting him as they got off the bus, but then I think he surprised them by responding and getting off the bus to follow them and he also filmed them - as he had done on the bus itself earlier.

"I think then they got scared about the consequences of their actions and they ran off."

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Mr Fixter has published the story online via the Kenningtons and Aveley Neighbourhood Watch Facebook page, hoping that someone who knows the teenagers might come forward. The matter has also been reported to the police.

Video and pictures are published on the page and its administrator Teresa Webster says: "An assault took place yesterday on the 372 bus. Do you know these kids? They exited the bus and walked along Hall Avenue.

"Anyone in the surrounding area can you please check your CCTV please. Also if you live in Davis or Hanford Roads and surrounding area could you please check your CCTV.