A woman reportedly had her hijab pulled off and stamped on during an apparent road rage assault.

Herts Police have today (May 30) appealed for information and video footage after the racially aggravated attack in Watford town centre's Wellstones car park.

At around 12.25pm on Friday, May 5, two vehicles were involved in a minor collision in the car park before an argument broke out.

The woman in her 30s claimed the suspect “pulled off her hijab and stamped on it, before making threats and using racial slurs”, Herts Police said.

Several bystanders intervened before all involved parties left the scene.

The woman went to her home address where she called the police. Attending officers then called the ambulance service and she was taken to hospital for treatment.

PC Dani Howlett-Bolton, one of Hertfordshire Constabulary’s hate crime officers, said: “Any violence or abuse motivated by racial or religious hatred is completely unacceptable, and will not be tolerated in Hertfordshire. Thankfully, in this case the woman was not seriously injured, though she has understandably been left very shaken.

“We have reason to believe that several people were recording the altercation, and may have vital evidence to help us progress our investigation. If you do have video footage, or any information that you think may assist with our enquiries, please get in touch as soon as possible.”

Information can be reported on the Herts Police website, quoting the reference 41/36195/23.