Baying louts in race attack on taxi drivers

TWO taxi drivers were left battered and bruised after being attacked and racially abused by a gang of teenagers in Shaw.

Driver Masud Ali (40) said he and his colleague Ejaz Ahmed (45) were assaulted by more than 40 youths near Asda in Greenfield Lane at around 8.40pm on Saturday, though police estimate there were between 20-30.

It is believed the gang had been turned away from a party close to Moor Street, then made their way into the town centre. Mr Ali, who works for Motown Cars, said he was struck over the head by a wooden plank when he tried to help Mr Ahmed, who was being punched and kicked.

Mr Ali said: “They were calling us all sorts of names. A third driver turned up, for back up. He said call the police. They had knives and sticks. The other chap was bleeding, his eye was swollen. They took him to hospital in an ambulance. He’s not been back to work.”

Mr Ali claims that there are continuing problems with youths in Shaw.

“It’s normal round here,” said Mr Ali, a taxi driver since 2002. “It has been a problem for years. Every weekend there’s always something going on.”

Police say a 15-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with the incident and have appealed for witnesses.