VICTIMS of hate crimes are being urged to report incidents after a Muslim woman was abused in the street.

The incident happened last Thursday in Gateshead when she was walking with her family in the town centre.

She was approached by someone she did not know and subjected to an unprovoked verbal attack.

The victim did not report the abuse but police became aware of what happened and managed to trace the victim.

No offender has been identified but the victim has been offered support by neighbourhood officers.

Inspector Andy Summers has now encouraged anyone else who is victim of racially or religiously motivated abuse to come forward and warned the public that this type of a behaviour is a criminal offence.

He said: “This incident is of particular concern to me as I have been advised that it was not reported to police at the time because they did not believe a criminal offence had occurred.

“Considering this I would like to take this opportunity to emphasise to the public that if you are subject to threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour in a public place then this is a criminal offence.

“It is not acceptable and is particularly concerning when it is committed by a stranger in the middle of the street as the victim went about her daily business.

“I really want anyone who is victim to this type of abuse to report it. Not only will we treat it seriously but we will treat any offence where someone is targeted because of who they are as a hate crime.

“Northumbria Police will do our utmost to support you and bring any offender to justice.”

To contact police call 101.