London:
In what is being termed as a racial attack, a woman of Asian origin was beaten up and her three daughters ill-treated by three people who tried to steal a packet of crisps from her shop in Britain.
Saly Chowdhury was left with a black eye and facial injuries after being bashed up by two men and a woman at her shop, the Hendon Valley Stores, in Sunderland, the Daily Mail reported.
The incident took place last week when 31-year-old Chowdhury, a mother-of-four, ran after the thieves and accidentally locked herself out of her shop.
The trio hurled racist abuses at her. They allegedly spat on her four-year-old daughter Ousha, shoved her seven-year-old daughter against the wall and thumped her 13-year-old daughter in the face, the report said.
They then allegedly punched Ms Chowdhury in the face, tore out chunks of her hair and choked her with her scarf.
She managed to free herself and get her children inside to safety.
"I'm not letting them do that to me again. It was scary and it's worrying going back to work but there is no need for this behaviour. I have many great customers who know me and I know them. If this is all about stealing, then please speak to me first and we can see if something can be sorted out," she said.
Police said the incident "simply won't be tolerated".