Edinburgh Evening News - Racist gang in hammer attack on Asian men in parked car

A GANG of racists launched a vicious hammer attack on two Asian men while shouting abuse about the London bombings. The young victims were sitting in a parked car in Springfield Street, Leith, when they were surrounded by the thugs in broad daylight. Police said the group taunted the men with racist insults and made references to the July 7 bombings in London which killed 56 people, and the failed follow-up attack on July 21. One of the attackers started kicking the car causing dents. Another threw a hammer at the front window, smashing the glass and hitting the passenger on the shoulder. The victims, who were aged between 18 and 20, managed to drive off and reported the attack at Gayfield Square police station. A Lothian and Borders police spokeswoman said: "This incident was racially motivated and the behaviour of the group to two men who were simply parking their car is totally abhorrent. "It was apparent to the victims that they had been targeted because they were Asian as both were racially abused during the incident. Lothian and Borders Police will not tolerate racist behaviour. It is a criminal offence and will always be treated very seriously. An inquiry is now under way to try and trace the culprits. siehe auch: RACISTS' HAMMER ATTACK ON ASIANS, HAMMER TERROR OF BOMB JIBE VICTIMS