POLICE are searching for a man who pretended to be a make-up artist at Beales and 'roughly caked' an Indonesian woman's face in white make-up.

A CCTV image of a man police would like to speak to has been released by officers investigating the racially-aggravated assault at the Bournemouth department store. The incident happened at around 3.10pm on Sunday, December 9.

The victim - an Indonesian woman aged in her 50s who lives in Bournemouth - was shopping in the store when she was approached by a man at the MAC make-up counter who falsely claimed to be a make-up artist.

The man offered her a free makeover and, because he was smartly dressed and friendly, she believed he was genuine.

He then roughly caked her face in white makeup, which caused a great deal of irritation and reddening to her face.

He was then challenged by a member of staff before he made off from the store. Following enquiries it was established that the man is not a member of staff.

Police Constable Alex Knapp, of Bournemouth police, said: "The victim is understandably very upset by the incident, and I am now in a position to issue a CCTV image of the man I would like to speak to in connection with the incident.

"I would ask that anyone with information, or who can identify the man pictured, contacts Dorset Police." He added: "We take take hate crime very seriously and we are carrying out a full investigation to identify the man responsible."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55180198927. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.