Two women have been charged with racially aggravated assault after a Muslim mother had her hijab torn from her head as she collected her child from school.

Emma Marie Camilleri, 35 and Sarah Gaskin, 18, both of Lower Addiscombe Road, Croydon, are accused of attacking a 25-year-old woman on June 5.

A gang of women is said to have unleashed a torrent of racial abuse at the victim, pulled off her headscarf and punched her in Derby Road as she walked to the Islamic Al-Khair primary school in Pitlake.

Another parent intervened to halt the assault and the woman did not require hospital treatment, but police were called and arrested two women, aged 18 and 35.

Ms Camilleri and Ms Gaskin will appear at Croydon Magistrates' Court on September 18, when Ms Camilleri will also face charges of criminal damage and a racially aggravated public order offence.

A third woman, Ashleigh Gaskin, 18, of Lower Addiscombe Road, has been summonsed to court on the same day for racially aggravated common assault. She has not been charged at this stage.

Police are also investigating claims officers called to the assault laughed at the victim. 

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "The victim has made a formal complaint in relation to the Met’s response to the incident. This will be investigated fully."