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Police have launched an investigation after a Muslim mother had water thrown over her and was punched in the face in an alleged racist attack in Birmingham .

The victim, who was reportedly sat in her car with her two young children, was waiting for traffic lights to change when she was allegedly approached by the man in Heathfield Road, in Lozells.

Police said the woman was then "racially abused" through the open window before the man threw water over her and punched her in the face during the “horrific attack” at 2.30pm on Sunday.

(Image: Press Association)

West Midlands Police said they are treating the incident as a "hate crime" and are appealing for witnesses to contact them immediately.

A West Midlands Police spokeswoman said : “The incident, which has been recorded as a hate crime, took place at 2.30pm Sunday 11 June in Heathfield Road, Lozells.

“The 31-year-old year old woman had stopped at traffic lights, and had her windows open, when she was approached by a man who threw water at her.

“The man then racially abused her, before punching her in the face.

“The man, described as being black and wearing a hoodie, then walked off. Police enquiries are on-going to identify the man and anyone who saw the incident should call officers.”

Councillor Waseem Zaffar (Lab, Lozells and East Handsworth) visited the victim after the incident and said she was in a “state of shock”.

He said: “It’s a horrific attack. It happened in front of her two young children.

"She is a Muslim. It was an Islamophobic attack.

“The perpetrator needs to be brought to justice. This is hopefully an isolated incident and the actions of this one individual should not be reflective of any community. People need to be vigilant and report all kinds of hate crime.”

Superintendent Mat Shaer from Birmingham Police , added: “We will not tolerate any report of hate crime, these crimes are committed by a small minority of people and are not representative of wider communities.

“There can never be any excuse for hate crime and I would encourage anyone who is a victim of hate to report it to police on 101 or online at: www.report-it.org.uk. Clearly 999 should be used if a crime is in progress or offenders are at the scene.”