Gun gang in ram raid on refugees

Manchester Evening News, Front Page Report 05/11/01

FIFTY asylum seekers fled for their lives when armed men rammed a car into refugees' flats in Salford.The gun-waving thugs drove straight through the front entrance of the block and tried to batter down a second security door.The refugees - aged 16-18 and from several countries, including some who fled the Taliban regime in Afghanistan - ran in panic.One 18-year-old tried to clamber over a 6ft fence, but became caught on razor wire. He was in Withington Hospital today, being assessed for plastic surgery to his face and hands.The flats are privately owned and the asylum seekers were placed there by Kent county council, which has responsibility for them after they entered the country through Dover.The drama erupted when the stolen car drove up to the block in Cromwell Road, Pendleton, close to Salford University accommodation.It accelerated and smashed into the front doors of the foyer, which held firm. But the driver reversed and tried again and again, taking the doors off their hinges at the third attempt and driving into the communal entrance.

Masked men

Three or four heavily-built men wearing balaclavas and carrying weapons got out of the car and tried to force their way through a second security door, but failed to break it and fled.The car - a silver Austin Montego estate, K919 WVR - is believed to have been stolen earlier from the Salford area.Salford council leader Coun Bill Hinds said: ''We totally condemn this behaviour and support every action taken by the police to apprehend those responsible.''But housing spokesman Coun John Warmisham slammed the firm which leases the flats and said: ''We warned the company that putting so many young men aged 16 to 18 under one roof would be a recipe for disaster.''Two other councillors and myself told them that we and people in the area were against it, because we felt so many asylum seekers in one property would be vulnerable.''But they ignored our concerns and went ahead, bringing in asylum seekers from different local authorities. I'm also annoyed that a government department has allowed the policy of asylum seekers being placed in Salford''.Det Chief Insp Danny McGrory said: ''Although the motive for the attack has not yet been established, Greater Manchester Police does not tolerate hate crime in any form - and every effort will be made to catch those responsible for what appears to be mindless violence''.

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Give a real welcome! The only way to stop these attacks of refugees.

There is anger at the recent attack on the refugee hostel. Cards are circulating, and collections being taken in workplaces across Salford for the asylum seekers recently under attack in a 'gun gang attack on refugees'. (MEN 05/11/01).

A "Salford welcomes the refugees" photo event will take place on Friday (09/11/01) at 12-30pm, outside the Salford Advertiser Offices, (Church St. Eccles Precinct). Messages of support for the refugees will be read out. With help from the press and the Council we will pass on collections to the refugees.

A proper welcome for the refugees in Salford is needed. The council have been asked to help pull all the agencies together and organise a civic reception to send out a clear message that asylum seekers are welcome in Salford.

Notes

'Hostels offer a target for attack' says a recent Save the Children report.

German hostels housing asylum seekers have been attacked and fire bombed.

A refugee was killed in an attack in Glasgow earlier this year.

For interview with Salford contact call Mary Black 07950 486 859

Manchester Committee to Defend Asylum Seekers

c/o Immigration Aid Unit, 400 Cheetham Hill Road, ManchesterM8 9LE  

Contact manchester@defend-asylum.org