POLICE are investigating a report of racial abuse against a woman in Ryde on the Isle of Wight.

A 22-year-old woman, originally from Eastern Europe, was outside the Thorntons shop in Ryde High Street at approximately 10.30am this morning (Saturday, December 11).

Police were informed by a witness that a man used offensive and racially abusive language towards the woman.

A 36-year-old man from Ryde, Isle of Wight was arrested in Ryde, and street bailed until January 3, 2011 pending further enquiries.

Investigating officer PC Gary Fletcher of the Ryde Town Safer Neighbourhoods team said: “The language used is alleged to have been so severe that the witness decided to approach a police officer who was on patrol nearby in the town centre.

“Ryde was clearly busy with many Christmas shoppers on a Saturday morning so I’m appealing to anyone else who witnessed or heard racial abuse in the High Street at around 10.30 this morning to contact me.”

Contact PC Gary Fletcher at Ryde Police Station by phoning 101 or emailing http://www.hampshire.police.uk/Internet/contact/message_officer.htm

From outside Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, call the police on 0845 045 45 45. Mini-Com users can call the police on 01962 875000. Information can be given anonymously by calling the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.