THE manager of a gay pub has hit out at thugs who have targeted his pub and customers with homophobic abuse.

Adam Lazenby, 21, who runs the Cliff, in Hamlet Road, Southend, said his pub and its clientele have been pelted with eggs and subjected to verbal abuse for the past two months.

Police are now investigating the incidents, which are being treated as hate crimes, and Mr Lazenby has decided to speak out against those responsible.

He said: “There’s always been a low level of problems, but it’s been increasing recently and has been getting worse.

“I think it’s happening because the pub is a lot busier now and people often use the outside area. Cars are coming past and people are throwing eggs at my customers and the pub, and shouting abuse.

“The police are taking this very seriously and it’s a crime. It’s not just throwing an egg at someone – it’s a hate crime.”

Mr Lazenby returned as general manager of the Cliff last October, having previously helped run it several years ago.

He said: “This kind of homophobic abuse is pathetic and has no place in Southend.”

The attacks against the Cliff and its customers are being investigated by PC Emma Makey, hate crime liaison officer at Southend police.

She said: “Southend police have been working closely with the managers of the Cliff public house.

“The managers have made reports of verbal abuse and eggs being thrown at customers and the building, by persons passing by the premises. These incidents are unacceptable.

“Any incidents of this or a similar nature, which customers or staff perceive as having a homophobic motivation, are dealt with as hate incidents or crimes.”

Anyone with any information can contact PC Makey at Southend police station on 0300 3334444.