Police investigating an assault on a bus in Pakuranga last week are releasing CCTV images of a woman they want to speak to.
The CCTV footage shows a woman, dressed all in black and carrying a suitcase, who police are treating as a person of interest.
The assault occurred at about 9.15am on Friday, June 28, on a bus travelling from Howick toward Auckland City along Pakuranga Road.
Acting Detective Senior Sergeant James Mapp of Counties Manukau East Police, says an unidentified woman boarded the bus before assaulting the victim with an object, leaving him with serious facial injuries.
Photos posted online of the teenage schoolboy who was assaulted show blood around his mouth.
Three of his teeth were knocked out in the attack and he suffered a large wound to his face.
News media previously reported the offender yelled racial slurs at the boy, who is a Chinese New Zealander, before striking him.
The woman boarded the bus at a bus stop on Pakuranga Road, by the intersection with Johns Lane, and left the bus after it stopped on the busway near Williams Avenue, Mapp says.
“Police want to hear from anyone who may know who this woman is or who have information about her identity and I’m asking anyone who knows who they are to get in touch.
“We are also keen to hear from anyone who witnessed the incident who hasn’t already come forward.”
Mapp says police are still investigating why the offender did what she did and cannot say at this point that it’s a hate-related crime.
“Police continue to have no tolerance for this type of crime or intimidation in our communities.
“We work with Auckland Transport on a range of issues, and will continue to do so to prevent incidents like this or in response to situation like these.”
Support is continuing to be provided to the victim, he says.
“We continue to encourage people to report all crimes to police rather than taking matters into your own hands as this can put yourself at risk.”
If anyone has any information on this woman, we urge them to contact police on 105 and quote file number 240628/8342.
Alternatively, report any information anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
