A top police chief for Oxford has personally apologised for the way his officers treated a Sikh man after his turban was torn from his head during a racial attack.

Rattandeep Singh Ahluwalia was assaulted by two racist thugs in Queen Street in the city centre while up to 40 onlookers stood by and did nothing.

One man ripped the 26-year-old's turban from his head and as Mr Ahluwalia struggled to defend himself, another man waved his fists in his face and shouted racist abuse....

Oxford police commander Supt Jim Trotman yesterday admitted: "On this occasion the service we provided fell short of what I expect and could have been better.

'Saying sorry won't make any difference without making big changes to the way they train officers'
Rattandeep Singh Ahlluwalia

"Although police were on the scene very quickly, the officers could have done more to treat the victim in a caring manner."

An internal inquiry into the lapses in the initial response is now under way. [Link]