United Kingdom - A young Muslim woman was racially abused and assaulted as she was walking along a Portadown road, police have said.
The victim was alone when the incident happened on Saturday afternoon. The perpetrator was said to be travelling in a white car.
Police said a woman got out of the vehicle before launching an attack on the victim whose family have lived in the area for the past two decades.
A PSNI officer said: "Earlier this afternoon, around 4.30pm, a young Muslim woman was walking alone along the Gilford Road in Portadown, just going about her own business. "A passing white car began to beep the horn at her and the female passenger started shouting racial abuse at her.
"The car then stopped and the female passenger got out and assaulted her, using racist language throughout. "The victim was understandably distressed by this but thankfully reported the matter to police."She is being supported by family, PSNI and other relevant agencies will be offering their support and services also.
"We are treating this incident as hate crime - racially motivated. "PSNI have a strong message - religious hate crime is unacceptable. Nobody deserves this. And nobody deserves to get away with it. "An active investigation is ongoing and a female is presently in custody in relation to the matter.
"A number of passing cars are believed to have beeped their horns on seeing this incident. "We are urgently trying to identify any witnesses.
"The victim of this hate crime comes from a family who have lived in the Craigavon area for the last 20 years.
source : abna
