The attack took place on a westbound Jubilee Tube train between West Ham and North Greenwich on October 21 at around 11.10am.

The 19-year-old did not sustain injuries, while his 25-year-old friend suffered bruising.

Two youths boarded the Tube at West Ham and approached the victim and his friends, who were wearing fancy dress for an event they were attending.

The two suspects began to verbally abuse the victim using homophobic language and then turned aggressive.

Police said one of the men pulled the teenager from his seat, stole his phone, put him in a headlock and then started strangling him.

“We won’t tolerate behaviour where someone is targeted because they are perceived to be different, or made to feel uncomfortable on their journey.”

The pair threatened to stab him and ordered him to apologise for being gay, which he did because he was struggling to breathe.

After releasing the victim, the pair returned his phone.

When one of the victim’s female friends, 25, came to his defense, she was then punched and pushed to the ground.

The suspects left the Tube at North Greenwich according to the Belfast Telegraph.

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Two Arrested After Photos Released

Officers issued an appeal for information following the assault and released photos of potential suspects.

Police said the incident was being treated as a hate crime.

The British Transport Police said in a statement: “Hate crime will not be tolerated by the British Transport Police. We believe everyone has the right to travel safely.”

“We won’t tolerate behaviour where someone is targeted because they are perceived to be different, or made to feel uncomfortable on their journey.”

On Tuesday, police reported that two 16-year-old boys had been arrested on suspicion of assault and were currently being held in custody.

The arrests come after images of suspects were released in an appeal to identify the perpetrators.