FIVE youths have been arrested and released on police bail in connection with a series of homophobic attacks.

The youths were arrested on suspicion of homophobic affray and false imprisonment after an investigation by Bromley police's community safety unit.

And four of them were also arrested for criminal damage.

The youths are three 14-year-old boys from Sydenham, Shortlands and Beckenham and a 15-year-old from Beckenham.

A 16-year-old from Beckenham was arrested on suspicion of homophobic affray and false imprisonment only.

The arrests follow a series of incidents against a couple, one of which took place on May 27 in Marks & Spencer in Beckenham High Street.

The couple were allegedly subjected to abuse and threatened as they walked into the store, while other youths gathered around the building, blocking the entrance to other customers.

Following this incident, it is alleged the gang boarded a number 54 bus and vandalised the the upper deck.

After studying CCTV footgage from the bus and store, police arrested the teenagers at their home addresses on August 3.

All the youths have been bailed to return to a south London police station later this month.

Police are looking for a further youth in connection with the offences.