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Homophobic attack occurred on a Jubilee Line train on 21 October iStock

Two teenage boys have been arrested in connection with an alleged homophobic attack on the London Underground in which a 19-year-old was strangled and forced to "apologise for being gay".

An appeal was launched to find two suspects wanted in connection with the attack on a westbound Jubilee Line train between West Ham and North Greenwich at around 11.10pm on 21 October.

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The two suspects boarded the train at West Ham and began hurling abuse at the 19-year-old, as well as punching and pushing his 25-year-old female friend to the ground.

During the attack, the pair are said to have "demanded the victim apologise for being gay" which eventually the victim did as he was struggling to breathe. The suspects also stole his phone and threatened to stab him.

British Transport Police have now confirmed that two 16-year-olds have been arrested in connection with the alleged hate crime and thanked the public for their help.

A BTP spokesperson said: "Following an appeal for information in relation to a homophobic assault, two people have been identified.

"We issued images of two people officers wanted to speak to yesterday, in connection to an assault on the Jubilee line on 21 October.

"Two 16-year-old boys were arrested on suspicion of assault (5/12) and are currently in custody.

"Therefore we are no longer appealing for information to identify the people shown in the images and have removed the images from our website.

"Thank you to the media and the public for all your help in sharing the appeal."