A MAN has been arrested after another man was reportedly grabbed by his face and verbally assaulted in a racially aggravated assault in Sherborne.

Dorset Police said they received a third party report of an assault of a man, described as being of South Asian descent, that took place in Cheap Street just after 12pm on September 27. 

A 61-year-old from Templecombe in Somerset was arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated assault, racially aggravated public order and criminal damage and he has been released on bail pending further enquiries.

The force said the man reportedly made abusive comments in public and spat in the police van.

Police have now launched an appeal to locate the victim, described as in his 30s with a medium build and height with short hair.

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PC Jasper Beauchamp, of Dorset Police, said: “Officers attended the location of the incident promptly and made an arrest.

“However, the victim had left the location and officers were not able to talk to him. While we have been progressing our investigation, I am very keen to talk with this male victim to enable us to take his account.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police online or by calling 101, using reference number 55250143783.

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