Muslim student in London has hijab pulled off in street

The Independent and London Evening Standard report on a suspected Islamophobic attack in north London where a Muslim woman had her headscarf pulled off as she stood at a crossing on Tottenham High Road last month.

The victim, a 20 year old Psychology student at Goldsmiths College has since spoken to the Evening Standard about the incident.

The victim, who has not been named, was stood at a crossing on Tottenham High Road with a friend at around 7.30pm on Wednesday 28 September when she was ‘flanked’ on each side by two men.

One of the men pointed at her hijab while another, who approached her from behind, allegedly pulled it away.

The victim told the Standard: “I was so shocked and distressed that it took me a while to realise it was happening. I couldn’t believe someone would attack me like that. He didn’t physically harm me but I didn’t feel safe at all.”

She said: “I was shocked and then got angry I started shouting at him saying ‘how can you do that?’.”

When the victim called the police, the two men ran off.

The victim spoke of the complete disregard shown by passers-by to her distress. She said: “It was a busy high street but not one person tried to stop him. Not one person came to check if I was okay, if we needed help, nothing.”

The victim has also spoken about her safety and fears about going out alone saying “I don’t feel safe on the streets, I’m more cautious than I have ever been – especially around men.

“My father doesn’t want me to leave the house on my own anymore but I can’t always have someone with me,” she added.

Detective Constable Ben Cousin of Haringey Community Safety Unit said: “This was a shocking attack in broad daylight in the middle of a busy street.

“Racially and religiously motivated crimes will not be tolerated I would appeal to anyone who witnessed this attack to contact police.”

Police are seeking two men in connection with the alleged assault. The first man is described as having blond or ginger shaved hair and stubble, around 5ft 6inches tall, wearing a burgundy hoody and carrying a Tesco carrier bag.  The second man is described as being of Mediterranean appearance, aged in his late 20s or early 30s, and clean shaven with spiky hair, wearing a grey hoodie.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Haringey Police via 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.