Plymouth bus stop where schoolgirl was attacked (Photo: BPM Media)
A Muslim girl’s hijab was “ripped off” in a “racially aggravated” attack at a bus stop.
While the 16-year-old was on her way to school to take the exam, she was approached by a woman in front of the Christian Center on Embankment Road in Plymouth.
Devon and Cornwall police say the woman – believed to be 18 or 19 – first quarreled on her cell phone at several locations of the victim just before the incident on Friday morning.
When the conversation ended, it was understood that she angrily turned to the pupil, first barking “what’s your problem”, although the girl later explained to the police that she tried not to look in her direction.
Then, without any provocation, the suspect tried to hit her, but missed before removing her hijab from her head.
A good-natured member of society saw that the girl was upset and scared, and accompanied her on the bus to make sure she got to school safely.
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A spokesman for the Devon and Cornwall police said the student was “extremely upset” by the attack, which is considered aggravated on racial grounds, and as a result was unable to take the exam.
“We believe that there was at least one other person at the bus stop who witnessed the incident,” the statement said.
“It was an unprovoked attack on a young schoolgirl on her way to school.
“The motive for the attack is unknown, but it is believed to be aggravated on racial or religious grounds because the woman wore a hijab.
“The hijab is worn by some Muslim girls and women to maintain their modesty and solitude by unrelated men.
“It would be very unpleasant for her, as she would feel that her personal life has been violated in such a public place.”
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