Victoria police investigating a suspected hate-motivated assault

Victoria police say they are investigating a suspected hate-motivated assault after a man was arrested for allegedly spitting at an Asian woman and her four children near an elementary school.

Police say the incident happened Tuesday afternoon, with an off-duty officer intervening.

The suspect was arrested shortly afterwards.

Victoria police say although hate crimes directed toward Asian people have risen across much of the country, Esquimalt and Victoria have not seen a similar increase.

Victoria police on Twitter:

A man has been arrested & is facing recommended charges of assault & mischief after spitting at a mother & her children, yelling racial slurs, & then kicking an officer's vehicle. The incident is being treated as a hate-motivated assault.