UK Muslim tourist's blouse set on fire in New York attack

American police are searching for a man after he set fire to a Scottish Muslim tourist's clothes while she was shopping in New York.

UK Muslim tourist's blouse set on fire in New York attack

American police are searching for a man after he set fire to a Scottish Muslim tourist's clothes while she was shopping in New York.

A New York Police Department (NYPD) spokeswoman confirmed to the Press Association that the 35-year-old woman was from Glasgow and had been visiting the city.

Officers have released information on the incident, which happened on Saturday September 10 at around 9pm in front of the Valentino shop on Fifth Avenue.

The woman informed police that she was walking in the street when she felt something warm on her arm and noticed that her blouse was on fire.

She managed to pat down the fire and saw an unknown man holding a lighter next to her.

The man then made off on foot eastbound on East 54 Street.

The Scot is understood to be unharmed after refusing medical attention at the scene.

Police are treating the incident as a possible hate crime, with an NYPD hate crime task force investigation ongoing.

CCTV has been released showing a man wearing a black hat, black tank top, black trousers and black shoes walking away from the incident.

An NYPD spokeswoman said: "The 35-year-old female is from Glasgow, Scotland, and was here as a visitor."

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: "This must have been a very frightening incident.

"The Scottish Government condemns all hate crime and hopes anyone with information about this assault contacts the NYPD."

more courts articles

DUP calls for measures to prevent Northern Ireland from becoming 'magnet' for asylum seekers DUP calls for measures to prevent Northern Ireland from becoming 'magnet' for asylum seekers
UK's Illegal Migration Act should be disapplied in Northern Ireland, judge rules UK's Illegal Migration Act should be disapplied in Northern Ireland, judge rules
Former prisoner given indefinite hospital order for killing Irishman in London Former prisoner given indefinite hospital order for killing Irishman in London

More in this section

General Election announcement UK will vote in general election on July 4 after Rishi Sunak fires starting gun
Astronomers shed new light on puzzling origins of sun’s magnetic field Astronomers shed new light on puzzling origins of sun’s magnetic field
Daily marijuana use outpaces daily drinking in the US, study says Daily marijuana use outpaces daily drinking in the US, study says
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited