Polish man beaten up by gang of 20 teenagers in 'racially aggravated' attack in Leeds

It comes less than a month after the alleged murder of Polish national Arkadiusz Jozwik in Harlow, Essex

The incident took place on Town Street in Armley, Leeds

A Polish man has been seriously injured after he was beaten up by a group of up to 20 teenagers in what polices suspect was a racially-aggravated assault.

The 28-year-old victim and his friend were confronted by the group of males, aged 16 to 18, in a residential street in Armley, Leeds.

The teenagers then pursued the victim and reportedly began kicking and punching him.

He was taken to hospital with a cut to the head that required stitches, but his injuries are not considered life threatening.

West Yorkshire Police said the incident, which happened on Friday night, is being treated as racially aggravated due to comments made to the victim and his friend.

Leeds District Commander Paul Money has reassured the Polish community in Leeds that the police do not tolerate such attacks.

Chief Superintendent Money said: “I want to reassure people, particularly the local Polish community, that we will not tolerate hate incidents of this nature and will do everything we can to ensure the people responsible are brought to justice.

“Detectives from Leeds District CID are carrying out extensive enquiries into this incident and are checking CCTV in the area and speaking to witnesses. The victim is being supported by specialist officers."

The commander said he appreciated that the incident would cause "heightened concerns" among eastern European communities in the area, but insisted it was an "isolated incident".

The attack came on the same day Theresa May called her counterpart in Poland to express “deep regret” over race-hate attacks on Polish citizens living in the UK.

It comes less than a month after the alleged murder of Polish national Arkadiusz Jozwik, 40, who was killed outside a takeaway in The Stow in Harlow on 27 August.

A week after Mr Arkadiusz's death, two Polish men were attacked by a group of four or five males in the same area in what police described as a "vicious" incident.