Image released following racially motivated assault on woman in Stoke Newington

Detectives have released an image of a woman they would like to speak to in connection with a racially and religiously motivated assault.

At around 13:40hrs on 18 November 2023, the victim, a woman in her 40s, and her three children left a shop on Stoke Newington High Street, N16 when a woman made an offensive gesture toward her.

The victim asked the woman what she was doing and the woman began racially abusing her. The woman then attacked the victim, hitting her in the face and grabbing her hijab. The victim received lacerations to her face.

Officers are treating the incident as a hate crime.

Detective Constable Harriet Ford, leading the investigation said: “This was a terrifying incident for the victim, made all the worse as it was witnessed by her young children. I would ask the public to take a good look at this image and consider if you have any information about her identity.”

Anyone who recognises the person in the image is asked to call 101 quoting CRIS 4632311/23.

Information can also be shared anonymously with the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.