Families unite in call for peace on streets

Hamza Ali still bearing the scar on his cheek from when he was attacked last week, and James Howard, victim of an earlier attack

Two families have united to call for all children to be safe on the streets after attacks on their boys.

Hamza Ali (12) and James Howard (14) both needed hospital treatment after separate attacks only yards apart.

James was battered by a crowd of around 20 Asian youths in Victoria Street, Chadderton, as he rode his bike home one evening in February.

His head was stamped on and he suffered a broken nose, two black eyes and several cuts. The gang made racist comments.

Hamza was attacked by three white boys in an alley off Victoria Street as he walked to school on Friday morning.

They banged his head against a garden wall, and he was X-rayed at the Royal Oldham Hospital for suspected fractures.

Police are investigating both assaults.

Now Hamza’s father Nanu Miah, from Coldhurst, and James’s mother Angela, from Chadderton, and their sons, have come together to call for an end to the attacks.

They said: “It’s a few racist individuals from both sides of the community who are tarnishing the reputation and dragging both communities into tensions and conflict.

“Rather than looking at differences we should all be looking to celebrate diversity, culture and appreciate one another. Parents should be coming together to create a more tolerant, safe environment for our children and their future.”

Both parents work in schools — Angela is a primary teaching assistant and Nanu is a secondary school behaviour support worker.

Angela added: “James has friends who are Asian who were shocked at what happened.

“People didn’t see the other side of what happened when James was helped by members of the Asian community after the attack.”

Nanu agreed: “Hamza’s best friend from primary school is white and he was delighted they were going to the same secondary school. As soon as we hear about something like the attacks happening in the community, Asian or white, we should not make 101 excuses or jump to conclusions, we should come together.

“James and Hamza have been victims of racist attacks, and they have chosen to come together to make a stance against bullies, gangs and a culture of intolerance. If two families from different backgrounds have chosen to come together, I’m sure more families, parents and people can come together and join forces to break down negative stereotypes. Respect is something that needs to be earned.”