Asian students attacked by gangs

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

A mob armed with metal poles, bricks and sticks ambushed students near City University in Islington on Friday evening.

Four victims were stabbed and were treated in hospital before being released the same day.

Police said two other men were also beaten in the violence. Witnesses said up to 30 youths were involved in the clash in St John Street. Three men, aged 17, 18 and 19, were arrested.

Earlier in the day a gang of white and black youths was said to have shouted racist abuse at a group of Asian students.

Police are also investigating an attack earlier in the week when a gang surrounded and attacked an Asian student, leaving their victim beaten and bruised.

Today an Islamic student group said the mob ambush was the culmination of a series of attacks. The Federation of Student Islamic Societies said Islamophobic and racist abuse had been shouted at students.

Racist offences in Islington have rocketed by 54 per cent in the last year, figures have revealed.

The number of offences in a rolling 12-month period has risen from 292 last year to 450 this year, according to the Metropolitan Police.

The increase is the biggest of any borough in London, and far exceeds the total rise of six per cent across the capital.

A Met spokesman said extra patrols were taking place around the university as a result of the violence, and that officers were using special stop and search powers on potential suspects.

Detective Inspector Trevor Borley, of the Islington police community safety unit, said: "We are taking this matter very seriously.

"We have put out reassurance patrols in St John Street and surrounding area. In addition, we will also be carrying out Section 60 searches."

City University is also understood to have increased security measures around its buildings.

The Met has described the suspects in the first attack, on Monday, as black. All of the attackers are believed to be teenagers.

Police are appealing for witnesses or for anyone who has information on the attacks to call officers on 0207 421 0107.