Advertisement

Appeal for calm after Polish woman 'racially assaulted'

Angus Macpherson has spoken out Credit: ITV Meridian

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire, Angus Macpherson, has appealed for calm and promised swift action, after a woman was attacked in Salisbury in what's thought to be a racially-motivated assault.

Mr Macpherson said Wiltshire Police was committed to stamping out prejudice-fuelled crime, and was shocked at reports of an increase in racially-aggravated incidents since Brexit result.

In a statement he said:

“I am disturbed to see reported rises in racially-aggravated and religious incidents across the country since Friday morning.

I am aware that Wiltshire Police is investigating a potentially racially-aggravated assault on a Polish woman in Salisbury on Friday evening.

“Some of these incidents are very serious, and suggest that there are people who feel that the result of Thursday’s vote somehow means that this is no longer criminal behaviour. On the contrary, in or out of Europe, they remain crimes and dealing with them effectively and robustly is a policing priority. I know my fellow Police and Crime Commissioners feel the same way.

“Wiltshire Police is committed to bringing cases of such assaults, abuse or harassment before the courts. To commit such crimes is to risk a stiff sentence.”

– Angus Macpherson, PCC for Wiltshire