Police are searching for a woman who allegedly struck a woman in the face and grabbed her hijab in north London in what they describe as a racially and religiously motivated assault.
Police have released an image of a woman they would like to speak to in connection with the incident, which happened on 18 November.
A woman in her 40s wearing a hijab was leaving a shop on Stoke Newington high street with her three children when a woman made an offensive gesture at her, police said.
After a brief exchange of words, the woman started hitting the victim repeatedly in the face and grabbed her hijab. The attack left the woman with cuts to her face.
The Metropolitan police have described the attack as a hate crime.
DC 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. Information can also be shared anonymously with the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
