West End Race Attack In Gay-Friendly District

A Soho pedestrian, who started recording a middle-aged yob's racist abuse, had his phone slapped out of his hand and was punched in the face.

Police investigating the attack, which they are treating as racially-aggravated assault - have released this blurry image of the suspect in the hope he can be identified.

The victim, aged in his forties, was walking along Dean Street towards Old Compton Street at 7.12pm on February 18.

As he passed the Soho Theatre, he stopped to confront the suspect - a white male in his forties - who was making racist comments about some people inside a restaurant and pointing at them.

The victim challenged him on his behaviour.

The suspect then became aggressive and the victim got his phone out and began to record.

The suspect slapped the phone out of the victim’s hands, causing it to fall to the floor.

The victim bent down to pick his phone up and was punched in the face by the suspect, who racially abused him before leaving the area.

Members of the public came to the victim’s aid, who suffered some injuries to his face which required medical attention.

Police have issued an image of a man they would like to speak to in connection with the incident.

Detective Constable Chun Hong Wu, of the Central West Command Unit, said: “This was a horrible assault on a man who took exception to the suspect’s needless use of racist language, at which point he was assaulted.

“I would urge anyone who recognises this man to contact police immediately.”

Anyone with information can call police on 101 quoting CAD 6324/18 Feb, or tweet @MetCC.

Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.