RACIAL abuse of staff at a town centre business has been labelled as "totally unacceptable" by a council leader - as police appeal for witnesses to come forward.

Officers are investigating an incident at the Golden Dragon takeaway on West Street, Bridport.

Police received reports of a drunk man entering the Chinese takeaway and racially abusing staff while he was ordering food. Approximately ten minutes later, the same man returned to the takeaway brandishing an item similar to a baseball bat or length of pipe and smashed two of the takeaway’s front windows.

The incident happened on Monday, April 25 at approximately 10pm - but Dorset Police have only just released details.

PC Scott McGregor from Bridport Neighbourhood Policing Team is treating the offences "very seriously" and is urging anyone with information to come forward.

He said: "This is being treated as two distinct offences which we are investigating.

"It is not the type of offence we would normally investigate.

"The windows were smashed with an object. The racial part of the offence relates to insulting words and behaviour the offender used towards the proprietors of the business.

"The important thing is we are treating it very seriously. It isn't appropriate, it is not right and it is not acceptable. If anyone does have information, they should contact Dorset Police, quoting occurrence 55160064204.

"I know that the takeaway and takeaways across the town are used regularly in the early to late evenings by people with family members. If people have seen anything, I would urge them to get in contact."

The leader of Bridport Town Council believes racially-motivated crime in the town is rare.

Cllr Sarah Williams said: "Any offence like this is obviously a dreadful thing.

"Any racial incident is totally unacceptable and everybody's rights should be respected. I would urge any members of the public who have information to come forward and speak to police. Luckily these sort of thing are very rare in Bridport.

"The town is generally a very tolerant place and I would assume members of the public would find this sort of thing as abhorrent as I do."

Cllr Williams also reassured members of the public about the safety of the town centre after a man was stabbed outside the Greyhound pub last month.

She added: "I think these are isolated incidents really.

"Bridport is generally a safe place to go out for a drink and I don't think people need to be concerned."

Witnesses and anyone with information should call Dorset Police on 101.