Racist attackers target Asian man near Harrogate bus stop

Officers are appealing for witnesses after the man was attacked on his way home from work.

The 19-year-old was attacked by two men after he got off a bus on Knaresborough Road, Harrogate, and walked down Swarcliffe Road.

As he walked past the men he was grabbed and his arms held behind his back. One attacker pushed him forward while the other punched and kicked him in the head. During the attack, the men are said to have made racial and homophobic remarks.

Police are treating the incident, which took place just after midnight on Thursday, as a race-hate and homophobic attack. The victim suffered “numerous small cuts” to his face and head.

One of the suspects is described as white and in his mid to late 40s. He had very short, shaved hair, was a chunky or fat build and had neatly-shaven sideburns. He is described as having excess skin on his neck, like a “turkey neck”.

He was dressed in work wear including a navy blue outdoor coat, dirty blue jeans and tan or sand-coloured Timberland-style workers’ boots, with construction-type dirt on them.

He is said to have spoken with a local accent and wore a plain gold wedding band on his wedding ring finger.

The second suspect is described as a chunky or fat white man who is also in his mid to late 40s. He had short, thinning hair and a bit of stubble. He wore a black leather bomber jacket, jeans, brown workers’ boots and had a blue tattoo on one of his wrists.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “We’d urge anyone who witnessed this incident, or has any information, to contact police immediately on 101.”

Information can also be passed to Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.