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UK Asian Family, Grocer Firebombed

An Asian family of seven is among the latest victims of a wave of petrol bomb attacks that have boosted racial tensions in Northern England.

The family from Accrington in Lancashire has not been named, but they are believed to be of Pakistani origin. Police, who believe the attack was racially motivated, say the family members were lucky to escape with their lives after their home went up in flames in the early hours of Saturday morning.

In a separate incident in neighbouring Burnley, an Asian greengrocer's premises was also attacked with a petrol bomb just after midnight on Friday. But there were no injuries and only minor damage after the local fire brigade managed to extinguish the flames.

Race riots started last month in the Lancashire town of Oldham where an immigrant community of Pakistanis and Bangladeshis is outnumbered 15 to 1 by whites.

Last week the riots extended to Burnley where police repeatedly tried to separate rival gangs of Asian and white youths who have pledged their allegiance to the racist British National Party (BNP) which has managed to poll an impressive 11 to 16 per cent of the vote in key Lancashire constituencies during the last General Election.

There have also been racial disturbances in the past six weeks in the towns of Leeds and Bradford in the adjoining county of Yorkshire.

On Thursday the tension in Burnley spread to Accrington where police believe a petrol bomb thrown through the window of a white Roman Catholic school was racially motivated. Police say they want to interview two Asian men who were seen nearby.

Meanwhile the BBC was forced to postpone a radio interview with the BNP leader in Burnley following police advice that it would create unnecessary tensions.

The police in troubled Burnley have been given special powers to prevent processions and assemblies in the town following the recent rioting.

The BNP's Nick Griffin was due to take part in the radio interview on Saturday, but a BBC spokesman said the venue had been shifted and the interview postponed following police advice.

Shahid Malik, a senior member of the Commission for Racial Equality, also accepted an invitation to speak on the same programme but cancelled when he learned of Griffin's involvement.

Malik, who earlier this week lodged a complaint against Lancashire Police for smashing him in the face with a riot shield, said he woiuld not participate in a programme which could stoke racial tension.

"I do not want Nick Griffin anywhere near Burnley and it is on those grounds that I have reconsidered my decision to appear on the Today programme", Malik said in a statement released to the media.

"I am extremely concerned that his presence in the town has potential to cause further disturbances and I would urge the BBC to call off the programme or terminate his invitation.

"I am concerned that these disturbances are being manipulated and giving oxygen to the repugnant views of Nick Griffin, and for the programme to encourage his presence in Burnley is both irresponsible and insensitive."

A Lancashire Police spokeswoman said, "The proposed line-up of guests for the Saturday morning discussion would have brought together at one venue in Burnley people from strongly opposed political and ideological groups.

"The local police and council felt that, given the tensions in the local community, this would create the potential for unnecessary conflict at a sensitive time."

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