Police investigating a religiously aggravated assault on a woman in Bournemouth have released a CCTV image of the suspect and are urging for the public’s help to identify him.
At around 2.20am yesterday, Saturday 13 August 2016, a Turkish woman aged in her 20s was walking in Charminster Road close to Cemetery Junction when she was approached by a man who was walking towards Bournemouth town centre.
The suspect made a religious comment to the woman before punching her on the side of her face. She sustained bruising to her head but did not require medical treatment.
A passer-by came to the victim’s aid and took her to a nearby bar to alert the police.
The suspect is described as aged in his 40s, of stocky build and was wearing a grey tracksuit and a grey hooded top with the hood up. He spoke with a possible Scottish accent.
Deputy Neighbourhood Inspector Jonathan Wasey said: “This was a vicious and unprovoked attack on a young woman as she walked alone.
“As part of our investigation I am now in a position to issue a CCTV image of the suspect. I appreciate the image is not very clear but I would urge anyone who recognises him or the clothing he is wearing to please contact Dorset Police.
“We believe this man may have been in the Charminster area on Friday evening and early Saturday morning.
“I would like to thank all those members of public who have contacted us so far. We would still like to hear from anyone who witnessed the incident or who saw a man matching the description given in the area at the relevant time.
“Racially or religiously motivated incidents such as this have no place in our community and they will simply not be tolerated. A full investigation is underway to find the offender.
“Officers from the Neighbourhood Policing Team will be carrying out high-visibility patrols in the area to reassure the community and can be contacted with any concerns.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email [email protected] or by calling 101, quoting incident number 13:55. Alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
