Centre in racist attack reopens

2:17pm Sunday 16th December 2007

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A YOUTH club closed following a racist attack on a council worker has re-opened.

The Wednesday night club at Accrington Road Community Centre, Blackburn, regularly attracted 50 to 60 youngsters from the local area.

But Blackburn with Darwen Council decided to cancel the weekly meeting following a racially-aggravated assault at the club on October 24.

On that evening youth worker Javed Iqbal, 48, of Daisyfield, Blackburn, was struck on the head by a plant pot thrown by a member of a gang of white youths who had descended on the centre.

Two youths from the local area, aged 12 and 13, were arrested in relation to the incident.

The youngsters were given a final warning by police over their involvement in what officers described as a racially-motivated attack.

Coun Michael Law-Riding, executive member for leisure and culture at the council, said: "The community centre has re-opened but unfortunately, the worker who was injured has not yet returned to work."

It is understood that the youth club will be run on a week to week basis for the foreseeable future to see how things go.

Assault victim Mr Iqbal said he was disappointed that the youngsters had been warned rather than charged for their part in the incident.

Mr Iqbal, who is still on medication for high blood pressure following the attack, said: "I would have liked to have seen a stronger action but the police decided not to do that.

"I was disappointed they did not take more action because this was a serious incident.

"I don't think I'd be able to return to work at the centre but I haven't made a final decision on that.

"I keep waking up in the middle of the night thinking about what happened.

"The whole thing has made me fearful that someone could be following me or calling me when I'm out.

"It's really affected me."