A woman in her 50s from the Greater Manchester area was walking near to the Hotel Rocks Café on West Cliff Promenade at around 4.20pm on Thursday 14 July when she was approached by a man.

It is reported that the man shouted racial abuse at her in an aggressive manner and threatened to assault her.

The offender is described as white with a pale complexion, in his early to mid 20s and of very slim build with wavy hair worn in a centre parting. He was wearing khaki-coloured three-quarter length shorts with no top on.

Police constable Chloe Candy, of Dorset Police, said: “This was an unprovoked incident and we have been carrying out a number of enquiries to identify the man so far, including checking for CCTV in the area.

“While I appreciate the incident took place a few weeks ago, I understand there were a number of people in the vicinity who would have witnessed what happened and I would urge them to please get in touch.

“Hate incidents of this nature will simply not be tolerated in Dorset and we will continue to thoroughly investigate this incident. If you have any information to help our enquiries, please come forward.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk/contact, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55220113453. Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.