Sign up to FREE email alerts from DevonLive - Court Insider Subscribe Thank you for subscribing See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Teenagers have been attacked and had abuse hurled at them in three separate coronavirus-related hate crimes over the past 24-hours in Exeter.

Devon and Cornwall Police said it is appealing for witnesses following at least six separate incidents involving Asian residents of the city being subjected to racist abuse.

Police are treating the attacks as hate crimes.

Officers said they want to convey the message that hate crimes against people because of their ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation will not be tolerated and are urging members of the public to support them in cracking down on any form of discrimination or abuse.

At around 8.20pm on Wednesday, March 4, a 19-year-old Chinese university student was approached by four unknown white men, thought to be in their 20s, on Castle Street and subsequently told “go back to your own country – you must have coronavirus”.

The men proceeded to punch, kick and spit at the teenager, stole his cap and threatened him with a knife.

Anyone with any information about this attack is asked to call police on 101 quoting CR/19656/20.

Police are also investigating an attack on two Asian men by a group of four or five men at around 2.45am on Sidwell Street, near Domino’s Pizza, this morning, Friday, March 6.

Members of the group shouted at the pair accusing them of having coronavirus before one of the perpetrators punched one of the victims.

Anyone with any information about this attack is asked to call police on 101 quoting log number 56 of the 6/3/20.

Police investigations into an attack on an Asian taxi driver by two male passengers at around 12.30am on Sunday, February 16, on New North Road, are also continuing.

The 35-year-old victim was taunted with questions about where he was from and whether he had coronavirus before being punched and kicked.

Anyone with any information about this attack is asked to call police on 101 quoting CR/013859/20.

Investigating officer, Sergeant Emma Storey-Barrett, said: “Targeted verbal and physical abuse is not to be tolerated and we are incredibly disappointed by the actions of the few in our community which are totally unjustifiable.

"We have also received reports of lower-level verbal abuse aimed at Asian people.

"One incident took place at around 4pm on Thursday, March 5, at around 4pm, whereby someone in a passing car shouted “corona” at a Chinese man walking along New North Road.

"And at around 7.10pm on Monday, March 2, a group of around five or six men started taunting a Chinese man outside Pure Gym on Fore Street accusing him of being a “foreigner” and a “coronavirus carrier” who should “go back”.

"We understand that at least three of the victims who have reported abuse to us have been students and we are linking up with the university’s wellbeing and estates’ patrol teams to ensure students feel supported and safe in Exeter.

"We appreciate the support of the community and would urge people to report similar crimes to us and for any witnesses of these incidents, or anyone who thinks they have any information which could help our enquiries, to get in touch."