Swastika race thugs target Burnley shop (From Lancashire Telegraph)
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Swastika race thugs target Burnley shop
9:10am Monday 20th September 2010 in Burnley
By Kate Jackson, Reporter
SCENE: The Leyland Road shop
RACIST thugs targeted an elderly woman by spraying a swastika on her shop and torching a car.
But 77-year-old widow Sakina Bili Ali, who runs Warsi Foodstore off-licence, in Leyland Road, Burnley, said she would not be forced out of her home or shop.
Shocked neighbours have expressed their disgust at the attack and describe the victim as 'an absolutely lovely neighbour'.
Mrs Ali's son's car, which was parked outside the shop, was torched at 4.45am on Saturday.
A swastika was sprayed on the shop wall in de-icer, along with the initials J.B.
Police believe the person responsible may have unsuccessfully tried to set the symbol alight.
Mrs Ali, who has worked at the shop for 30 years and lives in the upstairs flat, said: “I’m upset by what has happened.
“But I can forget about the spray now it has vanished. I’m not scared by it.
"I have been here a long time and nothing has ever happened before.
“I don’t understand why it has happened. It is a close neighbourhood here and everyone that comes in is friendly and I’ve had no trouble with anyone.
“But If they come back then maybe it is just my time. I’m not scared of death.”
She said that she was asleep when the incident took place and had not heard anything until police and fire arrived.
Mrs Ali said: "My daughter came banging on the door saying the car had been set on fire.
“I’ve asked all the neighbours but nobody seems to have heard or seen anything out of the ordinary.”
The rear doors of the car have been badly burned in the attack and police said there was extensive damage to the vehicle's interior.
Neighbours said they had been left disgusted.
Mother-of-four, Natalie King who lives across from the shop, moved from Manchester only a year ago to be nearer to the countryside.
She said that the incident has made her consider moving house.
Natalie said: “She is quiet but lovely and everyone get on with her.
“It has really upset my children and made them frightened.
“I thought that we were moving to a family area but there is just trouble here.
"After this weekend I think we will be looking to move house.”
Neighbour Kurt Stephens said: “I come to the shop every day.
"She is an absolutely lovely neighbour. I hope they catch whoever did this.”
Colin Smith, who lives opposite to the shop, said he had found the family 'really nice and helpful' in his short time living in the area.
He said: "I’m surprised that it seems to be a racist attack.
"I know it isn’t the best area of Burnley but people seem to get on quite well.”
Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident and urging anyone that may know anything to get in touch.
Detective Sergeant Chris Scott from Burnley CID said: "This is a frightening incident and obviously upsetting for the family.
“We are exploring every avenue but at the moment there seems to be a racist motive."
Call police on 01282 425001 with information.
Comments(19)
Ian_G
says...
9:50am Mon 20 Sep 10
It's a shame that when they're caught they'll get the usual slap on the wrist and told not to be naughty again.
They are total scum and deserve nothing more than outright scorn and contempt.
DaveBurnley
says...
10:05am Mon 20 Sep 10
They really have a sad little life and should be pitied, imagine going through life knowing that you are a useless entity who will never achieve anything of value in your lifetime.
your granny
says...
11:42am Mon 20 Sep 10
lancastrian lass
says...
1:31pm Mon 20 Sep 10
chrisjft96
says...
3:32pm Mon 20 Sep 10
When they come back from Poland, then and only then, can they receive a stiff custodial sentence.
skinmanbfc
says...
4:10pm Mon 20 Sep 10
tintin3726
says...
5:19pm Mon 20 Sep 10
Just because some looney used the symbol for the third reich for around 10 years does not make it a nazi symbol it was going for hundreds of years before that.
Anyway it was probably some prats with nothing better to do until sign on day.
spoonfullofsugar
says...
6:06pm Mon 20 Sep 10
Natalie where did you where moving too.
Sean Paul
says...
6:33pm Mon 20 Sep 10
skinmanbfc wrote:i think u might be right!!!! but still no excuse for it to happen....it was a lucky escape if the petrol tank had gone up what could have happened...
im no detective but kids is my guess.. maybe she had turned some away for booze earlier in the evening?? thats the sort of mentality a lot (not all) of teens have nowadays.
Tetley Drinker what has your post about please stick to the story it is a serious incident and luckly no-one was hurt..
the lady is question is a hard working pensioner who carries on regardless and i can imagine what sort of crap she has to put up with but to subjesct her to this cowardly attack and then try and glorify it with a swastika is the work of small minded cowardly scum...........
i wonder if they have the balls to brag about because even the twisted people who hold their veiws should be ashamed...
Someone out there knows who these scumbags are and they should shop them to the police.....
Asian Lad
says...
8:15pm Mon 20 Sep 10
/
If only the offenders car burst into a ball of flames, what goes around comes around!
RAyzer
says...
3:36pm Tue 21 Sep 10
londonrover
says...
5:06pm Tue 21 Sep 10
Oasis Man
says...
5:25pm Tue 21 Sep 10
RAyzer
says...
1:56pm Wed 22 Sep 10
Sean Paul
says...
6:25pm Wed 22 Sep 10
RAyzer wrote:its such a shame that muppetts like razer just make online comments and hide... i know the familly and there is no insurance claim and you want to make an example of a 77 yr old....its amazing how Rayzer and his small minded cronies alway start their coments on a positive note then twist it to suit their own small minded racist agenda..yes i have seen your post sand they do seem to have a common agenda.....you are a f**k w*T and you need to get a life....i am taking this personally and i wish the telegraph had more control on who posted coments and actually make them accountable for their post........Rayzer is a small minded racist dick and thats all you will get from him.....stop **** stirring and get a life..and if you have the balls to say who ya are then carry on...scum.
if it is racist they should serve time...IF!!!!but if its an insurance job like the TWO indian restaurants the other year,the owner should be made an example of!!!nobody so it????come on folk its deffo a bit fishy!!!
RAyzer
says...
8:57pm Wed 22 Sep 10
RAyzer
says...
9:00pm Wed 22 Sep 10
Sean Paul wrote:hard man..key board warrior,get a grip you spoty clown....you'd s*it your self if you met me..stop being deluded pal,read the story proper,how could nobody hear so much going on at night??!?!
RAyzer wrote: if it is racist they should serve time...IF!!!!but if its an insurance job like the TWO indian restaurants the other year,the owner should be made an example of!!!nobody so it????come on folk its deffo a bit fishy!!!its such a shame that muppetts like razer just make online comments and hide... i know the familly and there is no insurance claim and you want to make an example of a 77 yr old....its amazing how Rayzer and his small minded cronies alway start their coments on a positive note then twist it to suit their own small minded racist agenda..yes i have seen your post sand they do seem to have a common agenda.....you are a f**k w*T and you need to get a life....i am taking this personally and i wish the telegraph had more control on who posted coments and actually make them accountable for their post........Rayzer is a small minded racist dick and thats all you will get from him.....stop **** stirring and get a life..and if you have the balls to say who ya are then carry on...scum.
Sean Paul
says...
6:47pm Thu 23 Sep 10
Excluded again says...
9:20am Mon 20 Sep 10