A suspect has been arrested after a taxi driver was racially abused and assaulted by a passenger.
The driver had just picked up a group from Mansfield at around 4.45am on Sunday (20 August) when they reportedly started acting aggressively.
After pulling the car over in Chesterfield Road and asking them to get out, one of the passengers allegedly snatched some cash from the driver.
When the driver then challenged the passenger, a stream of racial abuse was hurled at them, while a punch was also thrown in their direction.
The taxi driver’s car was also kicked several times during the incident – causing multiple dents and scratches.
Officers arrived at the scene shortly afterwards and stopped a suspect in the street.
An 18-year-old man was subsequently arrested on suspicion of using racially aggravated words, assault, theft, and causing criminal damage.
PC Corey Trench, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “This was a completely unacceptable incident that understandably left the victim very distressed.
“It really should go without saying but it is simply not okay for anyone to subject anyone to racial abuse, and this kind of behaviour will never be tolerated by us as a force.
“Nottinghamshire Police is completely opposed to all forms of hate crime and will always take robust action, should we receive any reports of this nature.
“Hate speech can have a real, longstanding impact on victims, which is precisely why we take all reports we receive so seriously, and why anyone found to be involved should expect to find themselves in trouble with the police.
“We have arrested a suspect in connection with this incident, but our inquiries are still ongoing, so we’d ask anyone with any information to contact the police on 101, quoting incident 150 of 20 August 2023.”
Anyone wishing to report a hate crime can do so by calling 999 in an emergency, 101 for non-emergencies, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. You can also report a hate crime online at: www.report-it.org.uk
Mansfield 103.2 Afternoon News - 221124
