POLICE are appealing for witnesses to a hate crime after a shop assistant was threatened.

Officers said the 33-year-old man, who is Polish, was subjected to "xenophobic abuse" by a customer after refusing to sell him alcohol.

The incident in Lidl supermarket, Newhailes Road, Musselburgh, happened on Saturday night at around 8.40pm.

The shop assistant refused the sale because the customer appeared to be under the influence of alcohol at the time.

However the male customer began to shout offensive comments towards the victim and threatened him before being escorted from the store by other customers.

Police are appealing for anyone who can help to contact them. The customers was described as white, in his fifties, over 6ft tall with short grey hair.

He was wearing a blue Adidas jacket.

Inspector Andrew Harborow from Tranent Police Station said: “This sort of behaviour is completely unacceptable and thankfully the victim was not injured, though he was left shaken as a result.
“We are keen to trace the customers who removed the suspect from the shop and would ask them to get in touch to assist with our inquiries.
“In addition, anyone with any further information relevant to this investigation should also contact police immediately.”
Those with information can contact Police Scotland on 101 or alternatively, the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.