Two men from Dordrecht have been targeted in anti-gay incidents after making a date to meet someone using the gay dating app Grindr, according to local police.

The first man was beaten up by a group of men who were waiting for him at a football club car park where he had arranged to meet his date on Friday night. The second man managed to escape his would-be attackers after arranging a date on Saturday night.

Police are now investigating if the two incidents are related and are appealing for witnesses.

Local mayor Wouter Kolff said on Twitter officials are doing all they can to trace the ‘cowards’ who attacked the men, and urged people to be cautious when making appointments via Grindr.

Local gay rights group Dordrecht Pride also advised people to be alert. Spokesman Lannart Lenskens told reporters he knew the first victim. ‘The thick coat he was wearing absorbed most of the blows but he was knocked out for a time,’ Lenskens said.

‘We are going public with this because we want to warn people to be careful,’ he said, adding that this is first time he is aware of gay men in Dordrecht being targeted like this.

Dit weekend is in Dordrecht een man mishandeld en een andere man bijna nadat zij een date hadden gemaakt via de datingapp Grindr. Eén slachtoffer raakte licht gewond. Het andere slachtoffer raakte gelukkig niet fysiek gewond. https://t.co/EHtD8FruOy

— Politie Rotterdam eo (@Politie_Rdam) April 1, 2018