Appeal for victim following alleged racially aggravated assault in Sherborne

Officers are appealing for a victim of an alleged racially aggravated assault in Sherborne to contact police.

Just after midday on Saturday 27 September 2025 Dorset Police received a third-party report of a man grabbing another man by the face and verbally abusing him in Cheap Street.

The victim has been described as being of South Asian descent, aged in his 30s, of medium build and height and having short dark hair.

It was also reported that the suspect had made abusive comments in public in general and following arrest spat in a police van.

A 61-year-old man from Templecombe in Somerset was arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated assault, racially aggravated public order and criminal damage and has been released on bail pending further enquiries.

Police Constable Jasper Beauchamp, of Dorset Police, said: “Officers attended the location of the incident promptly and made an arrest.

“However, the victim had left the location and officers were not able to talk to him. While we have been progressing our investigation, I am very keen to talk with this male victim to enable us to take his account.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police online or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55250143783. Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online using its website or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.