Police appealing for witnesses after woman assaulted in Watford
Racial slurs and threats were used during the assault
Hertfordshire Police are appealing for witnesses, information and footage after a woman in her thirties was assaulted in Watford.
On May 5, at around 12:25pm, two vehicles had a minor crash in Wellstones car park, which reportedly led to an altercation.
During this time a woman was physically assaulted, the suspect allegedly pulled off her hijab and stamped on it, before making threats and using racial slurs.
Several people intervened before everyone left the scene, where the woman went home, called police, and was taken to hospital with ambulance staff for treatment.
PC Dani Howlett-Bolton, one of Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Hate Crime Officers, said: “Any violence or abuse motivated by racial or religious hatred is completely unacceptable, and will not be tolerated in Hertfordshire. Thankfully, in this case the woman was not seriously injured, though she has understandably been left very shaken.
“We have reason to believe that several people were recording the altercation, and may have vital evidence to help us progress our investigation. If you do have video footage, or any information that you think may assist with our enquiries, please get in touch as soon as possible.”
Anyone with information is asked to email PC Howlett-Bolton.
The force has said they do not tolerate racism and reports such as this are taken extremely seriously.