POLICE in the Scottish Borders have launched an investigation following the report of a hate crime.

The incident took place at the Hawick Community Recycling Centre in Mansfield Road shortly after noon on Thursday August 17 when a black woman was subjected to horrific racist abuse following an argument about where bags of rubbish should be deposited.

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The suspect is described as Male, white, 30-40 years old with dark hair and wearing a dark coloured top. He was driving a blue car.

The woman immediately reported the incident to council staff and subsequently to police officers.

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A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “On Thursday, 17 August, officers received a report of a hate crime that had taken place in Hawick and enquiries are ongoing.”