Police investigate officers’ response to harassment

VM police investigation

Photo taken at the scene of incident. Pic: Screengrab Twitter @MuslimAidan

Police are investigating a photograph that has sparked outrage amid claims officers laughed at a Muslim mother after she was allegedly attacked by three women who ripped off her hijab.

The women allegedly attacked the 25-year-old Muslim woman in Croydon last week and were harassing her for wearing a headscarf.

Two women have been arrested, one aged 35 and the other 18, on suspicion of common assault and a racially motivated crime. They were taken to a police station before being bailed to return at a later date.

The event occurred near a local private Islamic primary school, Al-Khair in Croydon.

Eyewitnesses claim the attackers asked the woman if she was hot in the headscarf.

“They pulled my headscarf off and started punching and kicking me. One was dragging my head down while the others were hitting me. They were being so racist and using derogatory terms,” the mother, who wishes to remain anonymous, told the Evening Standard.

The photographs taken at the incident have since spread across social media with users suggesting the police officers, who were called to the scene joined the harassers laughing at the victim.

The Metropolitan Police said they were aware of the photos and were investigating the incident. “The victim has made a formal complaint in relation to the Met’s response to the incident. This will be investigated fully,’’ said a force spokesman.

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