Burnley - Racial tensions over an assault on an Asian taxi-driver last night sparked a second night of violence as buildings were set ablaze in retaliatory attacks. A newsagent's, pub, sex shop and a car were set alight and two other vehicles were overturned as riot police took to the streets in Burnley, Lancashire.
The trouble followed an alleged hammer attack by a gang of white men on an Asian taxi driver in the town yesterday. Community leaders said police were slow to respond to the attack, which triggered the racial disturbances, including gangs pelting police with stones. Pub windows were smashed during two hours of clashes on Saturday and last night police in riot gear were back on the streets as Asian youths clashed with police and gangs of whites.