Arrests Over Racist Attack On Polish Man In Leeds

15 September 2016, 12:59 | Updated: 20 September 2016, 09:51

Seven teenagers have now been arrested by police investigating a racially-aggravated assault on a Polish man in Armley.

A 28 year old was allegedly punched and kicked by a group of around 20 people in Armley on Friday night.

A 13 and 17 year old have been arrested. 

Five others arrested yesterday have been bailed.

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UPDATED 14th September 2016 

The males, aged 14, 15 and two aged 16, were arrested at addresses in the Armley and Bramley areas this morning.

They have been arrested on suspicion of racially-aggravated grievous bodily harm and violent disorder in connection with the incident in Armley on Friday, September 9th, in which the 28-year-old Polish man was attacked. 

Enquiries are ongoing to trace further suspects.

Chief Superintendent Paul Money, Leeds District Commander, said:
"We have been carrying out extensive enquiries into this incident since it was reported and these arrests illustrate how that investigation is progressing. We have received a significant response from the public and we are grateful to everyone who has contacted us with information.

"Given the understandable concern that this incident has caused among people in Leeds, particularly the local Polish community, and the wider focus there has been on it, we have prioritised the investigation to ensure that we are doing everything we can to bring our enquiries to a successful conclusion.

"At the same time we will be maintaining increased patrols in the area where this incident occurred as part of our ongoing efforts to reassure the community.

"I met with the Polish Consul General Lukasz Lutostanski on Monday to update him on the investigation and the work we are doing to reassure the Polish community in Leeds following this incident. We will be maintaining that dialogue as the investigation continues and we will also be working jointly to develop the Polish community's awareness of our hate incident reporting systems so that we can ensure we have as full a picture as possible and can respond accordingly to any issues raised.

"I want to reiterate that hate crime and hate incidents are completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated in any form. The police work closely in partnership with the council and other agencies to tackle hate crime and we encourage anyone who has been a victim to report those incidents.”

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UPDATED 12th September 2016

A 28 year old Polish man's been seriously hurt after he was punched and kicked by a group of 20 teenagers in Armley. 

It happened in Alliance Street, at about 9.35pm on Friday, September 9th.

The victim and a friend had been confronted by the group and assaulted in nearby Town Street shortly before the attack. 

The victim ran off along Wortley Road and was pursued by the group to Alliance Street.

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

His injuries are not considered life threatening.

His attackers were described as a group of about 20 males, aged 16 to 18 wearing hooded tops.

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.”

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.