A police investigation has been launched after a customer claims he and a friend had a homophobic slur directed at them before being spat at by a shop worker.
The incident is reported to have happened in the early hours of Saturday, July 3, in Liverpool city centre.
Two men were reported to have entered the Your Local convenience store on Dale Street at around 2.55am.
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The victim claims homophobic abuse was directed towards them from a member of staff before he was reportedly spat at as they left the shop.
Merseyside Police said the men alerted a passing police patrol to report the incident.
The ECHO understands the claims are disputed by shop staff.
A spokesperson for Merseyside Police said: "We can confirm that an investigation is ongoing following reports of a homophobic hate crime in Liverpool City Centre on Saturday, July 3.
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"At around 2.55am, two males entered Your Local convenience store on Dale Street and alleged that while inside, homophobic abuse was directed towards them by a member of staff, and one of the victims was reportedly spat at, before both they left the shop and alerted a passing police patrol.
"CCTV and other enquiries are ongoing."
Detective Inspector Nick Suffield said: “Our enquiries are ongoing. We’re keen to understand exactly what happened, and a full investigation is being carried out.
"In the meantime, we would like to speak to anyone else who may have been in the vicinity of the shop and saw, heard or captured anything.
“We at Merseyside Police stand against hate crime in all its forms and will not tolerate people being targeted in such a manner. If you have any information, please come forward and we will take action."
Anyone with information is asked to contact police via their social media desk on Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ with reference 21000462828.
You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information
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