Man grabbed and racially abused 13-year-old girl in Essex

Police treating incident as hate crime

Undated handout e-fit image issued by Essex Police of a man they want to speak to after a 13-year-old girl was grabbed and subjected to racial verbal abuse in Basildon, Essex (Essex Police)

A 13-year-old girl was grabbed and subjected to racial verbal abuse in what police are treating as a hate crime.

Officers investigating the racially-aggravated assault in Basildon, Essex, have released an e-fit image of a man they want to speak to.

Essex Police said the teenager had just got off a bus in Ghyllgrove at about 4.50pm on Thursday 22 June when she was approached by a man.

Police said he grabbed her and subjected her to racial verbal abuse.

The girl managed to get away and run home

She was left shaken but unhurt, and officers are treating it as a hate crime.

Police carried out a search of the area but the suspect was not found.

Anyone who recognises the man pictured is asked to contact Detective Constable Jodie Kinsley at Basildon CID on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111

Press Association