A SHOPWORKER was punched in the face and neck several times in Bournemouth.

It was reported that at around 12.35pm on Thursday, September 19, a woman was attempting to return items to a store at the Sovereign Centre in Christchurch Road in Boscombe when she started becoming aggressive towards a male staff member.

The woman then punched the staff member several times to the face and neck, as well as kicking the till, throwing items off clothes railings and shouting racial abuse at him.

Officers are issuing an image of a woman they would like to identify as they investigate the assault, criminal damage and racially aggravated public order incident in Bournemouth.

Police community support investigator Rachael Buller of Dorset Police said: “We take reports of violence towards retail staff and hate crime very seriously, and we have been conducting a number of enquiries into this incident.

“We are now in a position to issue an image of a woman who we would like to identify as part of our investigation.

“I would urge anyone with information regarding her identity to please contact us.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55240144595.