A man has been arrested in connection with an alleged hate crime following a CCTV appeal.

It was reported that at around 8.20pm on Tuesday, January 28, the driver of the Number 1 First bus stopped at Victoria Square, Portland, to allow passengers on.

A man boarded the bus and went to sit down without paying for a ticket.

When the driver asked the man to pay his fare, he allegedly refused and became aggressive, using racially abusive language toward the driver. He also reportedly made threats to kill him before trying to grab the victim’s face and hands.

The driver, a man aged in his 60s, did not suffer any injuries as a result of the alleged assault.

Community figures have spoken of their shock at the incident. 

Following a CCTV appeal and enquiries by officers, a 28-year-old man of no fixed abode has been arrested on suspicion of causing racially or religiously aggravated intentional harassment, alarm or distress.

He was also arrested on suspicion of racially or religiously aggravated assault in relation to an incident in the area of St Thomas Street in Weymouth at around 9am on Tuesday, January 28, where a woman was allegedly assaulted and subjected to verbal abuse.

The arrested man is assisting officers with their enquiries.

A spokesman for Dorset Police said: "We would like to thank members of the public who shared our appeal and those who responded with information."