A WOMAN who intervened when a teenager shouted racial abuse at a man outside a kebab house was dragged to the ground by her hair, said police.

Officers are now appealing for witnesses to the incident, which took place outside Wimborne Kebab House on Crown Mead at around 12.30am on New Year's Day.

The victim, aged in her late teens, suffered minor injuries in the assault, committed by a female who had hurled abuse. She did not require hospital treatment.

The offender is described as around 18-years-old, slim and with long ginger hair. She was wearing a dark-coloured jacket and jeans.

She left the area and ran toward The Rising Sun pub on East Street.

Police Constable Dave Hassell, of Wimborne police, said: “Dorset Police takes hate crime very seriously and a full investigation is underway into this incident.

“I have now managed to speak to both the woman who was assaulted and the man who had racial abuse shouted at him.

“While I appreciate this incident took place two weeks ago, I am keen to hear from anyone who may have been out in Wimborne on New Year’s Eve and remembers witnessing this assault.

“I am also keen to hear from anyone who may have any information to assist my investigation.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk, or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55200000038. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.