Polish man attacked by gang of 20 youths in suspected hate crime in Leeds

Police have launched an investigation after a Polish man was attacked by a gang of up to 20 youths in Leeds in a suspected racially motivated assault. The 28-year-old victim was left with serious, but not life-threatening injuries, after he was kicked and punched by the gang on the evening of 9 September.

Police said that the Polish man and a friend had been confronted by the group and assaulted in Town Street shortly before the victim ran off along Wortley Road and was pursued by the group to Alliance Street, Armley, where the assault continued.

The victim received a cut to his to head that required stitches and is continuing to receive treatment in hospital.

The suspects are all described as white males aged between 16 and 18 and wearing hooded tops.

West Yorkshire Police said the incident is being treated as racially aggravated due to comments made to the victim and his friend.

Chief Superintendent Paul Money, Leeds District Commander, said: "I want to reassure people, particularly the local Polish community, that we will not tolerate hate incidents of this nature and will do everything we can to ensure the people responsible are brought to justice.

"Detectives from Leeds District CID are carrying out extensive enquiries into this incident and are checking CCTV in the area and speaking to witnesses. The victim is being supported by specialist officers.

"It is vital that we hear from anyone who witnessed any part of this incident or who has any information that could assist us in tracing the people responsible.

"Armley is an area with a strong sense of community across a population from a range of ethnicities and nationalities and I know that people living there will be as shocked and appalled as we are at this incident.

"I appreciate this attack will have understandably caused heightened concerns among eastern European communities but we are treating it as an isolated incident and not as an indicator of any ongoing hate issue in the area.

"Officers from the local neighbourhood policing team increased their patrols in the area in response to this incident and will be maintaining and increased presence to reassure people. We will also continue to keep local councillors and other community representatives updated."

The attacked occurred the same day that Theresa May expressed her "deep regret" to the Polish Prime Minister Beata Szydlo over the recent high-profile attacks on Polish citizens in the UK, including the murder of a man in Harlow in late August.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or who has any information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact Detective Constable Danny Wilkinson at Elland Road via 101 quoting crime number 13160390459 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.