Race hate probe as three schoolchildren are racially abused and spat at while walking home from playground
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Police have launched a hate crime probe after three schoolchildren were racially abused by a driver and spat at.
Detectives said two 12-year-old boys and a girl, 13, were walking home from an adventure playground in Clissold Park, Stoke Newington, north London, at 6.30pm on Saturday, March 11 when they were targeted in the "abhorrent" attack.
A car pulled up next to the trio in Clissold Road, near Stoke Newington School, before a driver racially abused them.
The man spat out the window at the group and drove off, Scotland Yard said.
(Photo: Google)
The traumatised victims called police but then made their way home.
Detectives from Hackney Borough's Community Safety Unit are investigating and the incident is being treated as a hate crime.
Detective Constable David Leitner of Hackney's Community Safety Unit said: "This was a shocking incident that has left the victims extremely shaken - the fact that this racial abuse was directed at children makes the offence all the more abhorrent.
"I am appealing to anyone who was in the area at the time of the incident and witnessed the incident to contact police.
"I would also ask people who saw a car, described as a white Volvo saloon, driving in the vicinity of Clissold Park to get in touch - you may hold a vital bit of evidence that could assist us in identifying the person responsible.
"Equally if you are the individuals concerned, please contact police."
The suspect is described as a man of Mediterranean appearance, possibly Turkish, with black hair and in his 30s.
Anyone with information is asked to get in contact by calling 07500 850 625, 101, or by tweeting MetCC. Alternatively they can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111