Woman is left frightened by racist tirade in street

A MUSLIM woman was racially abused in Bangor days after the Manchester Arena bombing.

The woman, originally from Kuwait, was shouted at with racial and distressing comments by a man as she walked on the city’s high street.

She had been dressed in a full hijab and was “very distressed” by the verbal assault on May 22.

A month later the same woman was subject to a further verbal attack from the same man.

North Wales Police are investigating both incidents as hate crimes.

Investigating Officer PC Iwan Jones at Bangor said: “At about 11pm on Monday May 22 a woman aged in her early 30s was walking along Bangor High Street between Star Kebab and Shaheens when she was subjected to racial and distressing comments by a man.

“The lady, originally from Kuwait and dressed in full hijab was understandably very distressed, particularly as his comments came in the immediate aftermath of the Manchester Arena bombing and although no physical threat was made she felt very intimidated and quickly made her way home.

“Unfortunately a second incident involving the same woman and offender occurred between 9pm and 10pm on Wednesday June 21 when the woman, who was walking along Beach Road, Bangor, was shouted at by the same man and then followed from the football field to the nearby Texaco garage.

“The incidents were reported to staff at the garage who then informed police.

“Members of the public were also present in the garage and I’m hoping they too can assist us identify the offender.”

The man is described as white and aged between 30 and 40 with scruffy dark hair and wearing a black top and trousers and possibly carrying bags. He was also seen to enter the Texaco garage.

“There can never be any excuse for hate crime in any shape or form and this criminality will not be tolerated,” PC Iwan Jones added.

“More than ever in these uncertain times we want anyone who may be subjected to hate crime to feel confident in the belief that we’ll take your reports seriously, protect you and make sure you get all the support you need.

“We are supporting the victim through this very difficult time and for her, and for her and the local community’s sake we are determined to identify and arrest this man as soon as possible.

“I’d appeal to anyone who was in the area at the time and saw any suspicious person or behaviour, or indeed knows who may be responsible, to contact police.”