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CCTV hunt after Sikh man 'has turban ripped off' in racist attack outside Parliament

Mr Singh was waiting outside Portcullis House, opposite Parliament: Twitter
Mr Singh was waiting outside Portcullis House, opposite Parliament: Twitter

A manhunt has been launched after a Sikh man almost had his turban ripped from his head in a racist attack outside Parliament.

Detectives have now released a CCTV image of a man they are trying to trace after the shocking assault, which is being treated as a hate crime.

Ravneet Singh, 37, was waiting near Portcullis House when he was approached by a man who shouted "Muslim go back" before attempting to remove his turban, Scotland Yard said.

Police rushed to the scene but the suspect had fled before officers arrived following the attack near Big Ben at about 5.20pm on February 21.

Officers are trying to trace this man in connection to the attack outside Parliament (Metropolitan Police)
Officers are trying to trace this man in connection to the attack outside Parliament (Metropolitan Police)

Mr Singh, a Sikh project manager for an environmental firm based in India, had been waiting to visit Labour MP Tanmanjeet Dhesi as part of a three-week trip to the UK.

After the incident, Mr Singh told the Independent: “He was pulling at my turban strongly. It half moved and I grabbed it. Before he could do anything else I shouted at him and he ran.

“He made a racist comment in another language that I didn’t recognise. He was a white man, but he didn’t sound English. He said something like ‘Muslim go back’.”

Officers described the man wanted for questioning over the hate crime as a white male, 5ft 10inches tall of stocky build and short black hair with stubble.

He was wearing a dark blue jacket, blue jeans, black shoes and a black backpack.

The victim did not require medical treatment.

Scotland Yard in statement said: “The Met have long since recognised the impact of hate crime on communities and the hidden nature of this crime, which remains largely under-reported.

“The MPS stands together with policing partners, colleagues and groups to investigate all hate crime allegations, support victims and their families, and bring perpetrators to justice.

“We would appeal to anyone who witnesses or suffers any hate of any type to immediately report it so that action can quickly be taken and catch those responsible.”

Anyone who has information concerning the man wanted for questioning is urged to call Westminster CSU on 0207 321 7662 or tweet @MetCC. You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Hate crime can be reported through 999 in an emergency, by dialling 101 in a non-emergency, directly at a police station, through the MOPAC Hate Crime app or through community reporting methods such as Tell MAMA, Galop, or the CST.