Two men were racially abused and one slapped in Watford town centre in an attack police are treating as a hate crime.

The pair, described by police as being of Asian origin, were standing near the Roosters Piri Piri takeaway in High Street at around 2.20am on Saturday when they were approached by a group of men.

Officers said they were both taunted with racist insults before one of the men was slapped in the face.

The group then made off in an unknown direction.

PC Andrea Warren, the investigating officer, said: “This form of racially motivated behaviour is considered to be a hate crime and will not be tolerated.

“I am therefore appealing to anyone who was in the area at the time and saw the incident take place to get in touch.

“It would have been a busy time at night, so I am sure many other people would have been in the vicinity and may have seen something.”

Anyone with information can contact PC Andrea Warren on the non-emergency number 101 citing crime reference number C1/11/5514.

Alternatively contact Crimestoppers, the independent charity, anonymously on 0800 555 111.