A WOMAN from the Borders who said she suffered a torrent of racist abuse has claimed her complaint was met with “disdain” by Police Scotland.

Law consultant Angela Bennett said she had “totally lost trust and confidence in the national force" which she accused of being racist, institutionally sexist and misogynistic.

Police Scotland was asked to address Ms Bennett’s claims but only confirmed that enquiries into the incidents were ongoing.

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Shortly after 7am on Saturday, February 4, as she was about to board a bus in Mart Street, Hawick, Ms Bennett said she was approached by three teenagers.

She said the group subjected her to a barrage of horrific abuse which included calling her a “black monkey”.

The driver refused to allow the group to board the bus and he was also verbally abused, according to Ms Bennett. She said the teenagers then entered a taxi and left the scene prior to the arrival of the police.

Ms Bennett said she provided photographs of the group and the registration number of the taxi to the police. She said an appointment was made for her to make a statement the following week.

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Later that night, at the Galashiels Interchange she said she was subjected to sexual harassment and further racist abuse while waiting to board a bus back to Hawick.

She said she reported the incident via Police Scotland's online system but had not been interviewed about the matter.

After repeated requests for information, Ms Bennett said she was informed that officers had not spoken to the taxi driver and that the teenagers had not been traced.

She said she then formally complained to Police Scotland about the lack of action.

“I am deeply concerned that the manifestation of racism cuts across the police force and that black complainers of crimes are treated with such disdain, hostility and degrading, and racist treatment by Police Scotland themselves," said Ms Bennett. “I have totally lost trust and confidence in Police Scotland as they have demonstrated time and time again the contempt not only to women but black women.

“The police are not above the law and they are being challenged to raise the bar regarding their extremely poor standards.

“A sexist attitude has been normalised and allowed to permeate the senior and lower ranks of the police service, and I believe this is a reason for not taking my complaint seriously."

On Police Scotland's response to her claims, Ms Bennett said: “If the police enquiries are ongoing, they are ongoing without me.”

Following publication of this week's Border Telegraph on Wednesday March 8, Ms Bennett was contacted by Police Scotland and arrangements are in hand for her to provide a statement in connection with the incident at the Galashiels Interchange.