A MAN suspected of going on a "horrendous" racist rampage in the centre of Cheltenham is being hunted by police.

The incidents, which police believe are connected, included a racially-aggravated assault, another assault, a theft and threatening behaviour.

They all happened between 5.30pm and 6.15pm on Sunday on either Cheltenham High Street or in the car park of the town's Tesco superstore.

At around 5.30pm, officers received reports of a man being threatening at Boots's corner – police believe the man had just left the Hogshead pub in High Street.

A witness described him as white and slim and with dark hair.

At around 6pm a man snatched £20 from another man who had just withdrawn it from the cashpoint at the Tesco Metro store in High Street.

The offender was described as white, in his 20s, with brown hair and a long fringe.

At just after 6pm a man in his 60s was the victim of a racially aggravated assault outside Cartridge World in High Street – not far from the Tesco Metro.

The offender shouted racial abuse at the man and then punched him in the face.

The victim suffered a broken nose and was taken to Cheltenham General Hospital for treatment.

The offender this time was described as a white man in his late 20s or early 30s, of medium build with dark hair with a white or grey patch at the back.

He was described as wearing a dark jacket, blue jeans and dark shoes and was seen to head off towards the large Tesco store in Colletts Drive.

At around 6.10pm an assault was reported in the car park of the large Tesco after two men were approached by a man who then punched one of them.

The offender was described as a white man, in his mid-20s with brown or ginger hair. He was said to be wearing jeans and a shirt with horizontal stripes.

Inspector Jon Roberts, from Cheltenham town centre police, said: "This is a horrendous series of incidents which we believe were committed by the same man.

"This despicable behaviour will not be tolerated and we are working tirelessly to ensure that the person responsible is caught and dealt with robustly.

"Cheltenham is a safe and enjoyable place to live and to visit.

"We will not tolerate any form of antisocial behaviour in the town centre and would urge anyone who witnesses this to contact us immediately.

"Together we can make sure that everyone feels confident that they can safely enjoy all that the town has to offer."

Anyone with information should contact police on 0845 090 1234 quoting incident 344 of May 2 or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.