Attack sparks race hate fears

CARJACKERS dragged a Bengali teacher from his car in Somers Town before smashing the vehicle into a wall.
The white, teenage gang’s unprovoked attack on Abdul Hye late on Friday night has sparked concern among Bangladeshi community leaders, who fear racial tensions could boil over.
Mr Hye’s ordeal began shortly after midnight when a group of between seven and 10 youths approached him as he sat in his car outside the Prince Albert pub in Goldington Crescent.
They asked him if he was a minicab driver and when he said he was not, one youth kicked in the driver’s side window, showering Mr Hye with shattered glass.
The youth then reached through the broken window and punched Mr Hye, grabbed the car keys and dragged him from the car with the help of other youths.
As Mr Hye, a teacher at William Ellis School in Parliament Hill, ran for help, the youths drove off in his car.
It was found less than half an hour later crashed into a wall in nearby Goldington Street. It is expected to be written off by insurers this week.
Mr Hye, who suffered minor cuts to his face, said: “I was very afraid. I am worried they may try it again.”
Joynal Uddin, chairman of the Bengali Workers and Parents Association, fears racial tension has increased in Somers Town over the controversial Labour Party vote to replace popular ward councillor Roger Robinson with deputy Mayor Abdul Quadir as a candidate at next year’s Town Hall elections.
He said: “There have not been problems like this here for several years.
“The Bangladeshi community has had white councillors for many years with no complaint but now there is a problem when we have a Bangladeshi candidate.
“All the communities here need to feel safe.
“There is no direct link between the attack and the Labour Party decision, but when you plant a bad seed it bears bad fruit. Who knows what these boys’ parents are saying to them in their homes?”
Abul Rahman, also of the Bengali Workers and Parents Association, added: “We need more policing, CCTV and leadership to build community safety. We do not want reprisals from Bengali boys on other communities either.
“Everybody has a right to feel safe.”
A police spokesman said: “There has not been a rise in racial tension in the area and we do not anticipate any. “People are urged to contact police if they have concerns or information about this incident. We have made an arrest and our enquiries are continuing.”