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'Get back to Africa': Teenage boys filmed launching 'disgusting' racist abuse on Manchester tram | 'Get back to Africa': Teenage boys filmed launching 'disgusting' racist abuse on Manchester tram |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Police have made three arrests after a group of teenagers allegedly launched a tirade of “disgusting” racist abuse at a passenger on a tram in Manchester, amid reports of a spike in hate crime following the EU referendum. | |
A video captured the verbal attack on Tuesday morning, after the man had asked them to stop swearing. | A video captured the verbal attack on Tuesday morning, after the man had asked them to stop swearing. |
“Bro, I’ll waste you, I’ll waste anyone,” one of the teenagers was filmed saying, brandishing what appeared to be a bottle of beer. | “Bro, I’ll waste you, I’ll waste anyone,” one of the teenagers was filmed saying, brandishing what appeared to be a bottle of beer. |
“Don't chat s**t when you're not even from England, you little f**king immigrant. Get off the f**king tram now. Get back to Africa.” | “Don't chat s**t when you're not even from England, you little f**king immigrant. Get off the f**king tram now. Get back to Africa.” |
The victim, speaking with a North American or Canadian accent, remained calm as he asked the suspects how old they were. | The victim, speaking with a North American or Canadian accent, remained calm as he asked the suspects how old they were. |
“What are you 18, 19? I’ve been here longer than you have,” he said. “You are extremely ignorant and not very intelligent, you know that?” | “What are you 18, 19? I’ve been here longer than you have,” he said. “You are extremely ignorant and not very intelligent, you know that?” |
The boys threatened to “waste” him before walking up the carriage and throwing a bottle of beer over the victim, splashing other passengers including a woman with a baby. | The boys threatened to “waste” him before walking up the carriage and throwing a bottle of beer over the victim, splashing other passengers including a woman with a baby. |
Eventually they got off the tram at Market Street as other passengers shouted at them to stop, with many calling them “disgusting”. | Eventually they got off the tram at Market Street as other passengers shouted at them to stop, with many calling them “disgusting”. |
The victim was heard saying to himself ”seven years in the military“ as a commuter shouted to the retreating teenagers: ”You are an absolute disgrace. A disgrace to England.“ | The victim was heard saying to himself ”seven years in the military“ as a commuter shouted to the retreating teenagers: ”You are an absolute disgrace. A disgrace to England.“ |
Afterwards he was given a round of applause on the tram and congratulated for standing his ground. | Afterwards he was given a round of applause on the tram and congratulated for standing his ground. |
A woman who was on the tram told the Manchester Evening News she was left in tears by the incident. | A woman who was on the tram told the Manchester Evening News she was left in tears by the incident. |
“I was feeling sad, I now feel scared coming to work. They were three boys, they weren’t very old,” she said. | “I was feeling sad, I now feel scared coming to work. They were three boys, they weren’t very old,” she said. |
“I am scared of travelling on my own, I feel scared for my children that it is not safe, I will not take them on the tram.” | “I am scared of travelling on my own, I feel scared for my children that it is not safe, I will not take them on the tram.” |
Greater Manchester Police said officers were investigating the “hate incident” at around 7.40am on Tuesday morning on a tram travelling towards the city centre. | Greater Manchester Police said officers were investigating the “hate incident” at around 7.40am on Tuesday morning on a tram travelling towards the city centre. |
Chief Inspector Gareth Parkin said: “This is a disgusting display of abuse which quite frankly has no place in society. | Chief Inspector Gareth Parkin said: “This is a disgusting display of abuse which quite frankly has no place in society. |
“All hate incidents are treated with the upmost severity and this behaviour will not be tolerated in Greater Manchester. | “All hate incidents are treated with the upmost severity and this behaviour will not be tolerated in Greater Manchester. |
Jonathan Reynolds, the Labour MP for Stalybridge, Hyde, Mossley, Longdendale and Dukinfield was among those voicing his disgust on Twitter. | Jonathan Reynolds, the Labour MP for Stalybridge, Hyde, Mossley, Longdendale and Dukinfield was among those voicing his disgust on Twitter. |
“I will fight, fight and fight again against this racism with everything I have,” he said. | “I will fight, fight and fight again against this racism with everything I have,” he said. |
Paula Sherriff, the Labour MP for Dewsbury, Mirfield, Denby Dale and Kirkburton said she had written a letter signed by other MPs in the region condemning incidents of racism and xenophobia. | Paula Sherriff, the Labour MP for Dewsbury, Mirfield, Denby Dale and Kirkburton said she had written a letter signed by other MPs in the region condemning incidents of racism and xenophobia. |
“I am horrified at the rise in racist incidents across the UK,” she added. | “I am horrified at the rise in racist incidents across the UK,” she added. |
The National Police Chiefs' Council reported a 57 per cent rise in hate crime complaints over the four days following the EU referendum compared to the same period in May. | The National Police Chiefs' Council reported a 57 per cent rise in hate crime complaints over the four days following the EU referendum compared to the same period in May. |
Police are investigating vandalism at a Polish cultural centre in west London and the firebombing of a halal butchers in Walsall, among other incidents. | Police are investigating vandalism at a Polish cultural centre in west London and the firebombing of a halal butchers in Walsall, among other incidents. |
David Cameron condemned the attacks in Parliament, saying Britain “would not stand” for the abuse and must work to stamp them out. | David Cameron condemned the attacks in Parliament, saying Britain “would not stand” for the abuse and must work to stamp them out. |
The reports sparked an intervention from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, who said he was concerned about abuse against ethnic minorities and foreign residents. | The reports sparked an intervention from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, who said he was concerned about abuse against ethnic minorities and foreign residents. |
“Racism and xenophobia are completely, totally and utterly unacceptable in any circumstances,” Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein said. | “Racism and xenophobia are completely, totally and utterly unacceptable in any circumstances,” Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein said. |
“I urge the UK authorities to act to stop these xenophobic attacks and to ensure that all those suspected of racist and anti-foreigner attacks and abuses are prosecuted.” | “I urge the UK authorities to act to stop these xenophobic attacks and to ensure that all those suspected of racist and anti-foreigner attacks and abuses are prosecuted.” |
Anyone with information on the incident in Manchester is urged to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. | Anyone with information on the incident in Manchester is urged to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. |
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