Grindr attacks in both Canberra and Victoria

Gay men are being urged to take care while using hook-up apps in both the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and Victoria after a series of targeted homophobic attacks.

In the ACT, ACT Policing is looking into two incidents they believe were premeditated and homophobic in nature.

Warnings about these incidents have been circulating on social media, urging people to report any attacks to the police. ACT Policing is considering whether the two incidents are linked and is encouraging anyone with information or CCTV footage from the areas of Ada Norris Avenue, Denman Prospect, or Investigator and Discovery Streets, Red Hill, to come forward. They are also advising people to meet in public places when arranging to meet someone through a dating app.

In Victoria, police are also investigating a series of similar attacks on gay men linked to dating apps and social media. Groups of offenders have been posing as legitimate users to lure men into meeting them, then assaulting, robbing, and subjecting them to homophobic comments.

Since June, five incidents have been reported. In these cases, offenders filmed the victims before assaulting them and stealing their belongings, such as bags, phones, and wallets. Four attacks occurred in public places, while the fifth took place at the victim's house after offenders used geotagging to locate him.

Hume Crime Investigation Unit Senior Constable Grace Fryer stated that they are thoroughly investigating these incidents and urged anyone with information to report it to the police. Priority and Safer Communities Division Acting Commander Kelly Lawson emphasized that everyone has the right to meet new people and start relationships safely, and there is no place for this behavior in society.

Police have spoken to all victims and reviewed CCTV footage. While incidents of this nature are rare, Victoria Police are committed to treating them with utmost seriousness and are urging victims to come forward. They also remind users to protect their identity and location when using dating apps and to verify the other person's identity before meeting up.

Both ACT and Victoria police forces say they are dedicated to the safety and well-being of LGBTIQA+ communities and stress the importance of reporting any such behaviour to the authorities.

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