UK Muslim gang vandalises immigration-raid vans, throws eggs on officers
While some community leaders condemned attack, several people on social media supported it
Photo shows vandalised immigration-raid vans with slashed tyres. PHOTO: FACEBOOK
A gang of Muslim youths reportedly vandalised immigration-raid vans and pelted immigration officers with eggs in what is being called an astounding attack in East London’s neighbourhood of Shadwell.
The attack comes days after Prime Minister David Cameron had called upon Muslims of the United Kingdom to ‘support the British way of life’.
Last week, UK’s home department officials found their immigration-raid vehicles’ tyres sliced open and the paintwork scratched soon after they reached Shadwell, more than half of the population of which is Muslim according to the 2011 census, to round up three suspected illegal Bangladeshi immigrants from a shop.
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Three vans marked ‘Immigration Enforcement’ and an unmarked silver car which had been parked in the next street were badly vandalised.
“I saw about five or six youths come out of nowhere and run towards the immigration vans,” one eyewitness said. “They had kitchen knives in their hands and they slashed the tyres and scratched the bodywork.”
The eyewitness went on to add, “It all happened very quickly, then they ran off. I think they were local Muslim hoodies just doing a prank, but it’s not funny. It’s the sort of thing that will cause problems to this area now.”
Just two days back, David Cameron made a landmark speech appealing for support from the UK’s Muslim community in the effort to combat extremism.
Meanwhile, the residents of the locality claimed that the immigration-raid vans had to be towed away after a local garage, Bigland Tyres, refused to help. However, the garage owner denied their claim.
Further, a worker who works at a tyre shop near the place of the incident also denied claims that Bigland Tyres declined for help.
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“We tried to help them but we didn’t have any tyres big enough to fit their vans. We offered to give them air, but there was no point because the tyres had big holes in them,” he said.
Although, the community leaders in Shadwell condemned the disturbing incident a number of people took to social media to stamp their support for the gang.
This article originally appeared on the Daily Mail.
The attack comes days after Prime Minister David Cameron had called upon Muslims of the United Kingdom to ‘support the British way of life’.
Last week, UK’s home department officials found their immigration-raid vehicles’ tyres sliced open and the paintwork scratched soon after they reached Shadwell, more than half of the population of which is Muslim according to the 2011 census, to round up three suspected illegal Bangladeshi immigrants from a shop.
Read: UK Muslims condemn move to host Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) exhibit
Three vans marked ‘Immigration Enforcement’ and an unmarked silver car which had been parked in the next street were badly vandalised.
“I saw about five or six youths come out of nowhere and run towards the immigration vans,” one eyewitness said. “They had kitchen knives in their hands and they slashed the tyres and scratched the bodywork.”
The eyewitness went on to add, “It all happened very quickly, then they ran off. I think they were local Muslim hoodies just doing a prank, but it’s not funny. It’s the sort of thing that will cause problems to this area now.”
Just two days back, David Cameron made a landmark speech appealing for support from the UK’s Muslim community in the effort to combat extremism.
Meanwhile, the residents of the locality claimed that the immigration-raid vans had to be towed away after a local garage, Bigland Tyres, refused to help. However, the garage owner denied their claim.
Further, a worker who works at a tyre shop near the place of the incident also denied claims that Bigland Tyres declined for help.
Read: British newspaper apologises for incorrect story on British Muslims' support for Islamic State
“We tried to help them but we didn’t have any tyres big enough to fit their vans. We offered to give them air, but there was no point because the tyres had big holes in them,” he said.
Although, the community leaders in Shadwell condemned the disturbing incident a number of people took to social media to stamp their support for the gang.
This article originally appeared on the Daily Mail.