AN NCP car park attendant was verbally abused in a hate crime incident in Bournemouth.

The man asked a group of men to leave following reports of drinking and smoking in the stairwell of the car park at the bottom of Richmond Hill sometime between 1.30pm and 2pm on Thursday, March 31.

Police said one of the men, who was on crutches, became abusive toward the staff member and swore at him, making reference to his nationality.

Bournemouth Echo:

A CCTV image of a man police are keen to identify has now been released.

Read more: Car with blue flashing light inside driven 'erratically" at high speed

Police Constable Katie Callaghan, of Bournemouth police, said: “We take all reports of hate crime extremely seriously and we are carrying out a full investigation into this incident.

“We have obtained an image of a man who we are keen to identify, and I would urge anyone who recognises him to please come forward.

“I understand from our enquiries that this man is regularly seen in the vicinity, but we have so far been unable to identify him.”

Anyone with information can contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk/do-it-online, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55220050995. Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.