Appeal after Racial Abuse Incident

Police are appealing for witnesses and information after a woman cycling in Preston Park with her young son was subjected to racial verbal abuse by three teenagers.

The incident happened between 5:10pm and 5:40pm on Wednesday 28^th June and there are believed to have been a number of people passing at the time who may have witnesses what happened.

The teenagers, one female and two male, were racially verbally abusive to the woman when she said “excuse me” so that her young son, aged two, could cycle past. The victim got off her bike to ask who had made the comment and the female teenager then grabbed the arm of the victim and shouted in her face and was very aggressive when the victim tried to walk away.

The victim then got back on her pedal bike and the racial abuse continued as she left the area with her son.

Both male teenagers are described as having dark hair; one wearing a balaclava and the other with his hood up. One was wearing a long-sleeved top and another had a short sleeved T-shirt with a black gilet and hood.

The female suspect is described as 5ft 8” tall with light brown hair and blonde streaks. It was tied in a ponytail and she was wearing black leggings, black socks and black fluffy sliders.

Anyone with information regarding the incident or the identity of the three teenagers is asked to contact PC Katie Lister from Cleveland Police on 101, quoting incident number 126511.

Independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling 0800 555 111.