Four youths arrested over Armley hate attack – UPDATED

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UPDATED: Thursday, September 15: A total of seven youths have been arrested by detectives investigating a racially-aggravated assault on a Polish man in Armley. 

Five males, aged 14 to 16, who were arrested yesterday in connection with the incident on Friday, September 9, have now been released on police bail pending further enquiries. 

ORIGINAL ARTICLE:
A 17-year-old male, who was arrested last night, is currently in custody along with a 13-year-old male who was arrested this morning.

Four teenagers – all under the age of 16 – have today been arrested in connection with a racially-aggravated assault on a Polish man in Armley.

Police say the four local 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 9, in which a 28-year-old Polish man was attacked.

They remain in custody and will be interviewed throughout the day.

Police say enquiries are ongoing to trace further suspects. A gang of up top 20 were believed to be involved in the incident.

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.”

Ch Supt Money said increased patrols around Armley would remain in place. He added:

“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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