Police search for woman who ‘hit shopper in the face and grabbed her hijab’

The suspect left a woman with cuts to her face after attacking her outside a London shop in a suspected hate crime

(Metropolitan Police)

Police have issued an urgent appeal after a woman allegedly struck a shopper in the face and grabbed her hijab in a “terrifying” attack in front of the victim’s children.

The woman left the victim with cuts to her face after hitting her outside a shop on Stoke Newington High Street, London, on 18 November 2023 in a suspected hate crime, the Metropolitan Police said.

The victim, in her 40s, had challenged the woman about making an offensive gesture towards her shortly after leaving the shop with her three children when she was attacked.

Detective Constable Harriet Ford, leading the investigation said: “This was a terrifying incident for the victim, made all the worse as it was witnessed by her young children.

“I would ask the public to take a good look at this image and consider if you have any information about her identity.”

Anyone who recognises the person in the image is asked to call 101 quoting CRIS 4632311/23. Information can also be shared anonymously with the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.