Sickening racism claim on the Aber line

Video footage has emerged locally overnight that appears to show racist abuse that was reportedly directed at people of colour on the Aberystwyth rail line.

Aberystwyth resident, Rosedona Williams, said she was subjected to the abuse whilst travelling from Borth to the seaside town on Bank Holiday Sunday.

She captured the incident on her phone and her video shows one of the men seemingly calling other passengers “mutts” whilst doing what appears to be Nazi salutes.

The route was used extensively over the weekend by our readers so if you saw the incident, then please report it to the police, who say they are investigating.

“So, yesterday for the second time in my six years of living in Aberystwyth, I was subjected to verbal racial harassment and abuse from a group of both white men and women on my train journey from Borth to Aberystwyth,” Rosedona posted on Facebook, which has been shared by the Welshpool Rail Users Group.

“I have experienced blatant racism before, however, not to this extent. I was initially referred to as a “big black dog over there” pointing at me and laughing as he got to his seat. He then started the racial abuse chanting “there’s a dog on the train” and his friends joined in.”

She said the abuse lasted for the entire duration of the journey, which is about 20 minutes. She contacted the police and hopes that the train’s CCTV will provide all the evidence that’s required.

A British Transport Police (BTP) spokesperson said: “BTP is investigating a report of a racist incident that occurred on Sunday, May 30, on board a train between Machynlleth and Aberystwyth. Enquiries are ongoing and anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to contact BTP by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 629 of 30/05/21.”