This is the moment a Muslim mother was punched to the ground by a thug in Liverpool which police are treating as a hate crime.
The woman was attacked following a row on the street after youths reportedly damaged a car and the window of a house in Tuebrook.
This CCTV footage shows the aftermath where the mother and her sons were set upon by males wielding scaffolding poles.
The incident is believed to have escalated after youths playing football in the street damaged the car and house window of the Muslim family.
Images show the victims talking in the street before three young males charge at them, splitting the family.
In the attack that follows a thug punches the mother who is her 40s, forcing her to the ground, where she is left until one of her sons is able to assist her.
The attack took place at around 6pm on Easter Sunday.
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Merseyside Police have confirmed that officers were called to reports of an “altercation involving a number of people in the street”.
The force said it was reported that “during the incident, a group of youths had caused damage to a car and the window of a property, before a woman in her 40’s was assaulted by a male”.
She was taken to hospital for treatment for a facial injury.
Following the incident, a 37-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated section 47 assault and a 31-year-old woman was also arrested on suspicion of affray.
Both have been released on conditional bail and a police spokeswoman said an investigation is ongoing.
The victims believe they were targeted because they are Muslim and from Pakistan.
Community Inspector Andy Gardiner of Merseyside Police said in a statement: “This is a shocking incident and we are still working to piece together the exact circumstances, however to discriminate against anyone in this way is appalling behaviour and hate crime of any kind will not be tolerated by Merseyside Police.”
Anyone with details can contact police on Twitter (via @MerPolCC) or by calling 101, quoting the reference number 19100193350. You can also contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
