Racial Abuse Against Bus Passenger Prompts Witness Appeal

This just in from the Police. Ed

Hampshire constabulary logoPolice are investigating a report of racially aggravated abuse against a mother travelling on a bus on the Isle of Wight.

A 36-year-old woman of Thai origin from Newport, Isle of Wight boarded a number one Southern Vectis bus with her two young children at Newport Bus Station at 4.30pm on Friday, January 21, 2011.

The family was sat near the back of the single decker bus, where a man was alleged to have been shouting and swearing while travelling with a woman and a dog on the back seat.

Woman challenged anti-social behaviour
When the woman of Thai origin challenged the man because of his anti-social behaviour, he made racially abusive remarks towards her.

The suspect is described as:

● White
● Aged in his 30s
● Short spiked brown hair, which appeared to be gelled.
● Between 5 ft 6 ins and 5 ft 8 ins tall
● Clean shaven

He was wearing:

● Reading glasses
● White jacket
● Jeans

The woman sitting with the suspect was described as:

● White
● Aged in her 30s
● Skinny build
● 5 ft 8 ins tall
● Brown hair

She was wearing a dark coloured jacket

The man’s dog was described as either a black Staffordshire bull terrier or Pit bull terrier. The dog was wearing a pink or red collar with an ID tag in a heart shape.

Investigating officer PC Lucy Critchlow of the Isle of Wight’s Targeted Patrol Teams (TPT) said: “Although the victim was not physically threatened or hurt, she was clearly upset and distressed by the man’s behaviour, particularly as her two young children were also travelling on the bus.

“We’d like to hear from other passengers who were travelling on the number one Southern Vectis single decker bus, which left Newport Bus Station for West Cowes at 4.30pm on Friday, January 21.

“I’m also appealing for people who were at Newport Bus Station on Friday, January 21 to come forward if they know the identities of the suspects.”

Get in touch
Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Lucy Critchlow at Newport Police Station by phoning 101 or emailing through the Website.

From outside Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, call the police on 0845 045 45 45.

Mini-Com users can call the police on 01962 875000.

Information can be given anonymously by calling the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.