A MAN hurled racist abuse at a group of people sitting outside a pub in Poole before assaulting a man at a bar.

Police are probing the incident, which happened at around 12.30am on Friday, April 26, and have released a CCTV image of a person they would like to trace in connection with the investigation.

A Dorset Police spokesperson said the incident unfolded as a group of people was sitting outside The Quay pub in Poole Harbour.

“It is reported that a man shouted racially abusive language at the group before he followed them to the Soho Bar & Kitchen in Old Orchard where he twice punched the victim – a man in his 30s from Bournemouth – in the face,” they said.

“Fortunately, the victim did not sustain any injuries.”

PC Niall O’Grady, of Bournemouth police, said: “We take all reports of this nature extremely seriously and our enquiries are continuing into this incident.

“I have now obtained a CCTV image of a man I would like to identify and would ask anyone who recognises him to please come forward.”

Anyone with information, or who recognises the person in the picture, should contact Dorset Police via www.dorset.police.uk/contact, or by calling 101, quoting incident number 55240061903. They can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling 0800 555 111.