London gay bookshop attacked by vandals

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London’s renowned gay bookshop, Gay’s the Word, has been attacked by vandals.

Staff at the Marchmont Street store came to work this morning to find the front window smashed and the shopfront had been pelted with eggs.

Assistant manager Uli Lenart told PinkNews.co.uk that witnesses reported seeing a group of youths “rampaging” up and down the street at around 12.30am and throwing eggs at another store.

He said the gang, who were on bicycles, left the scene and reappeared ten minutes later with a rock and a bottle, which they threw through the shop’s front window before running off.

The shop, which is 33 years old, was not raided and Mr Lenart said he was unsure of the cost of the damage.

Mr Lenart said he did not know whether the shop was attacked because it is a gay store, but pointed out that no other shops in the area had their windows smashed.

He said: “They were apparently laughing their heads off as they smashed the window. One can’t jump to conclusions but the facts are there.”

He added: “We are just relieved that the rock wasn’t followed by a match.”

Police are investigating the incident.

Gay’s the Word decided to stay open for trading today and Mr Lenart said staff had been touched by the kindness and support of local people, some of whom brought in bunches of flowers.

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