Detectives in Hackney are appealing to trace a man who racially abused and punched a woman in her face in broad daylight.

The 27-year-old victim was standing at the bus stop in Graham Road at the junction with Marvin Street on Monday November 20 in the middle of the afternoon, when the suspect launched a racist tirade against her. He shouted: “All of these white girls living here not born in the area.”

When the victim asked if he was referring to her he threatened to “break all of her jaws”.

He then pushed her against a wall with such force that her face struck the brick, and when she tried to defend herself he punched her in the face and cheekbone.

The victim fell to the floor, clutching her laptop which was broken during the struggle.

In shock, she asked: “How can you hit a girl?” and told him not to run away because she was calling the police. The man replied, “I’m not running” and casually walked off along Marvin Road.

Police have released images of a man they want to speak to in connection with the incident, which is being treated as racially motivated.

Det Const Jo Giles from Hackney CID who is leading the case, said, “This was a nasty, racially motivated and unprovoked attack on a young woman merely waiting for a bus.

“She was struck with such force that her face was cut and swollen, and the bruises were still clearly visible over a week later.

“We have exhausted all other enquiries and really need the public’s assistance.”

“We do not tolerate hate crime of any form and encourage victims and witnesses to come forward and report such incidents to the police.”

Police want to hear from anyone who recognises the man in the CCTV images, or who witnessed the assault.

Anyone with information should call Det Const Jo Giles on 101 or email jo.giles@met.pnn.police.uk. Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting reference 01330.