A SUSPECTED shoplifter has been charged with racially abusing security staff and the police officer who arrested him.

Janusz Howzon, 36, is accused of screaming obscenities at staff at Tesco in Gainsborough Road, Leytonstone, after being challenged over an alleged theft on Monday (October 17).

Mr Howzon, of Hainault Road, Leytonstone, has been charged with theft and two counts of racially aggravated public order offences.

He is being held in custody and is due to appear at Waltham Forest Magistrates Court later this month.

Detective Inspector Keith Paterson from Waltham Forest Police's Public Protection Unit said: “We will robustly deal with any form of racism regardless of how serious it is as people should be able to live their lives without the fear of becoming victims of racial discrimination.”

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