Police are appealing for information after a man was assaulted in what they are treating as a racially-motivated hate crime on Monday evening in north Belfast.

The incident occurred at around 6.30pm on New Lodge Road. A man who was walking with a friend was approached by a group of teenage boys. They shouted at him before one of the teenagers punched him in the face and fled.

The remaining youths continued to shout racial slurs at both the victim and his friend. Members of the public intervened, chasing the youths away and providing assistance to the pair.

The injured man attended hospital for treatment the following day.

PSNI officers received a report of the assault at 9pm that evening. They have issued an appeal for witnesses, particularly those who helped at the scene. Police are also asking anyone with images or video footage to come forward.

Inspector Hamilton described the assault as a racially-motivated hate crime and said inquiries are ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting reference 1845 of 29/06/26, or submit information through the online reporting form. Anonymous reports can be made to Crimestoppers.