DETECTIVES would like to speak to this man in connection with an incident in which a supermarket security guard was racially abused.

CCTV footage shows a white man walking into the Tesco store in Cronton Road, Prescot and being challenged by a black guard over his anti-social behaviour.

The guard and store manager asked the customer to leave and during this conversation, it is alleged that he threatened the guard and used racially and abusive language.

The majority of incident happened in the doorway of the store and was witnessed by several other customers. He is described as white, in his late 20s or 30s, with a stocky build and shaven ginger hair. He was wearing a blue polo shirt with dark jeans trousers and white trainers.

The incident left the guard shocked and upset and he later made a complaint to the police. Due to the nature of the allegation, detectives from Knowsley CID's anti-hate crime 'Sigma' unit are investigating.

Detective Constable Peter Dibbert said: "This was an unpleasant incident in which a man has been victimised while doing his job. We believe it was completely unprovoked and both racist and threatening language has allegedly been used towards him.

"Merseyside Police will not tolerate this kind of behaviour and enquiries are underway to identify the man in this CCTV footage. The store will have been very busy at that time of night and the footage shows several customers walking past the altercation in the doorway.

"I would appeal for those customers or anyone who recognises this man from the CCTV we have released to please contact me so we can progress the investigation."

The incident happened at 8pm on Saturday, July 14. Call Knowsley CID on 0151 777 6545 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.