A NEWSAGENT was left shaken and in tears after a violent racial attack from a drunk while shoppers looked on.

Kirti Patel waited for a police officer but her aggressor had gone by the time he arrived at AK Enterprises in Longport, Canterbury.

The attacker was carrying a beer and already drunk and Mrs Patel refused to serve him alcohol.

He shouted racist abuse before pushing part of a counter display and till towards her. He also punched a window and pulled out wires for the CCTV alarm systems.

A queue of shoppers waited in line while the attack took place.

Mrs Patel said: "I was shaking a lot and crying. One police officer arrived after 20 minutes but that is not good enough."

Kent Police said a patrol was dispatched within four minutes but CCTV operators told them the offender had already left the shop.

A spokesman said: "We believe our response was adequate, however we accept that we could have more clearly explained our actions to the victim."

The incident took place on the night of Friday, June 23.

* Full story and comment in this week's Kentish Gazette.