Police Scotland has launched a suspected hate crime inquiry after a woman walking alone in Glasgow city centre on 22 July was struck on the head and subsequently taken to hospital for treatment, a video of the incident shows.
Incident and immediate response
Footage circulating online shows the woman, described as wearing a hijab, being confronted by a group of four young men on Renfield Street in the early hours. The group are heard directing racial abuse at her and telling her to remove her headscarf. In the recording one male, wearing orange shorts, appears to strike the woman with what is believed to be a glass bottle.
"They were racially abusing the Muslim female wearing a hijab, calling her a dirty p**i and saying 'this is our country, go back home'."
The quote above was provided by a taxi driver who witnessed the episode and intervened, later assisting the woman to safety. He said she was taken to hospital and required stitches; reports indicate she felt vulnerable and shaken following the attack.
Police action and enquiries
Police Scotland confirmed officers were called to a disturbance near Renfield Street at about 12.30am on Wednesday 22 July. On attendance the youths had dispersed and, according to an earlier statement from the force, "no one required any medical treatment" at that time. The force has since stated the matter is being treated as a suspected hate crime and enquiries remain ongoing.
| Key time | Event |
|---|---|
| ~12.30am, 22 July | Police receive reports of a disturbance near Renfield Street |
| Shortly after | Youths leave scene; officers attend |
| Following day (reported) | Victim attends hospital and receives stitches |
Witness account and community concerns
A taxi driver who witnessed the incident described strong racial abuse directed at the woman, and the assault captured on video. He intervened and urged bystanders to call emergency services. He also expressed concern about the recurrence of attacks on people of South Asian heritage in the city.
- The alleged assault took place on Renfield Street, Glasgow city centre.
- The victim was wearing a hijab and has been treated at hospital for head wounds requiring stitches.
- Police Scotland has classified the matter as a suspected hate crime and enquiries are ongoing.
The case highlights the role of video evidence and public witnesses in prompting police review, and it underscores tensions around racially motivated abuse in public spaces. The investigation will determine whether charges are brought and, if so, whether any prosecutions will specify hate crime aggravators under the criminal law. As enquiries continue, police are asking anyone with information or further footage to come forward to assist their inquiries.
