For "Asian," read "Pakistani" (and similar)

Yorkshire Post

Mobs run riot in night of race hate Kate O'Hara, Sally Cope and Robert Sutcliffe

A NIGHT of racist violence brought terror to the streets of Yorkshire as gangs of Asian youths caused mayhem in a series of unprovoked attacks.

Groups of young men went on the rampage in Leeds, Bradford and Halifax, setting fire to a church and stoning a vicar, seriously injuring one man, and smashing the car windscreen of a terrified disabled driver as his vehicle came under fire from bricks and fireworks.

Yesterday the Bradford vicar whose church was set alight said he feared for his life when a 50-strong gang of masked Asian youths hurled stones and fireworks at him as he went to investigate an arson attack.

The Rev Tony Tooby (pictured), vicar of St Phillip's Church, Girlington, said the youths surrounded his car, shouting 'Get the white bastard', and pelting him with stones.

Mr Tooby said: "As I came round the corner there were youths chucking rockets at cars and at each other. One landed near me and they were all laughing and joking.

"I got out of my car to see what was happening and I realised they were going into my church. There were 40 or 50 of them and it was frightening. I could smell smoke and I feared the church would go. I got back in the car and dialled 999."

Mr Tooby said he quickly realised the gang had gathered behind his car.

"They shouted, 'Get the white bastard,' and I put the car in gear, put my head down and drove as fast as I could up the road."

The gang pursued Mr Tooby up Washington Street, pelting his car with missiles which smashed the rear window. He alerted a police patrol at the top of the road and officers quickly arrived, by which time the culprits had fled.

-- Anonymous, November 09, 2001