Police are appealing to the public to help identify a man and a woman after a mother was subjected to a torrent of racial abuse and a physical assault in central London, all while she was with her young children.
The incident occurred at around 7:30 pm on Saturday, 11th October, as the victim was entering Bond Street Tube station with her sister and her two young children, one of whom was in a pushchair.
According to the British Transport Police (BTP), the unidentified couple was walking in front of the family when the woman bumped into the pushchair. What followed was a shocking and unprovoked attack.
The man is alleged to have launched into a tirade of vile racial abuse directed at the mother and her family. The woman then escalated the situation by violently grabbing the victim’s hair.
As the victim tried to defend herself, the man reportedly produced a small bottle, which he claimed contained pepper spray, and sprayed it towards the woman and her children.
“The woman continued to shout abuse and made lewd gestures at them before the pair left the area,” a BTP spokesperson added.
Fortunately, the family reported no ill effects from the sprayed substance, though authorities are still working to confirm exactly what it was.
Can You Identify Them?
The BTP has now released a clear image of the two individuals they wish to trace in connection with the hate crime. They are urging anyone who recognises the man or woman to come forward immediately.
If you have any information, you can assist the investigation by:
- Texting BTP on 61016
- Contacting Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111
Any piece of information could be vital in bringing the perpetrators of this appalling attack to justice.
