A MAN racially abused a shop assistant and tried to smash a screen in a betting shop on Friday.

The suspect was in the Ladbrokes on High Street, Potters Bar, around 5pm when he racially abused the assistant after a brief conversation.

He tried to smash the screen of a betting machine and picked up a chair, threatening to throw it at the assistant, before other members of the public intervened.

He then left the shop in an unknown direction.

Hertfordshire Police have appealed for any witnesses, or any of the people who intervened, to come forward with information about the incident.

They can contact PC Anna Luxon on 0845 33 00 222 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 citing crime reference numbers J3/09/902 and J3/09/886.