CCTV appeal following racially aggravated assault in Birkenhead

We are issuing CCTV stills of a man we believe may be able to assist an investigation into the assault and racial abuse of a man in Birkenhead.

The victim, aged 40, was in Aldi on Laird Street with his daughter at around 7.35pm on 10 July when a man used a racial slur while shouting at him.

The offender then grabbed him by the throat and pushed him backwards, causing bruising and reddening to his neck.

An investigation was launched and CCTV and witness enquiries have been carried out in the local area.

Detective Inspector Emma Kerrigan said: “This was a totally unprovoked and shocking racially aggravated assault on a man who was simply buying groceries.

“It is completely and utterly unacceptable for anyone to be subject to verbal and physical racial abuse, and we simply will not tolerate people being targeted in this way. We are working to find the person responsible and bring them to justice.

“We think the man pictured may hold vital information so I would encourage him, or anyone who recognises him, to come forward as soon as possible so that we can take positive action.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Merseyside Police social media desk via Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook Merseyside Police Contact Centre with reference 23000622396. You can also call 101 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information.

If you wish to report a hate crime, but don’t want to call the police in the first instance, across Merseyside, there are a number of third-party reporting centres available. These include the charity Stop Hate UK who can be contacted on 0800 138 1625.