A WOMAN made a comment about an off licence staff member’s nationality before hitting them in the face.

Police have released a CCTV image of a woman they’d like to speak to in connection with the racially aggravated assault.

At around 12.25am on Sunday, July 24, a woman entered the Dorset Booze off licence in Old Orchard and walked into a staff area.

When she was challenged by a staff member, she made a comment in relation to nationality before hitting them in the face. The woman then left the store.

Police Constable Matt Batter, of Poole police, said: “Dorset Police takes all reports of hate crime very seriously and we are carrying out a number of enquiries into this incident.

“We have obtained a CCTV image of a woman we would like to speak to, and I would urge anyone who recognises her to please come forward.

“From our enquiries, we understand there were three other male members of the public in the store at the time of the incident and I would be keen to speak to these individuals as potential witnesses to the assault.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk/contact, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55220119426.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.