Police appeal for witnesses to hate crime incident in Plymouth

Detectives investigating a hate crime incident in Plymouth are appealing for witnesses and anyone with information to come forward.

The incident happened at around 2.45pm on Tuesday 16 January at the top of Royal Parade by the pedestrian crossing on the church side.

The victim, a local man aged in his sixties, was surrounded by a group of six or seven young people who took his cap and were throwing it around between them using hateful language. The behaviour of the group caused him to drop his walking stick. The group then returned the cap and left the area.

The young people involved have been described as wearing hooded tops and included boys and girls aged between 15 and 17.

Detective Constable Sarah Ronayne, of the Plymouth Diverse Communities Team, said: “I believe that after the incident, a man on board a bus asked the victim if he was all right. I am appealing for this potential witness to come forward as he may have information that could assist with my investigation.

“I would also like to hear from anyone who has information about those responsible or any witnesses to the incident to please contact police.”

If you have any information regarding the incident then please contact police by email 101@dc.police.uk, or phone 101 quoting crime CR/005072/18.

Information can also be passed to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.