Racist attacks in Bexhill

RACIST attacks on German students in the town are on the increase. Police warned this week that the assaults reflect badly on Bexhill and carry a "negative message."
By The Newsroom
Published 28th Aug 2005, 15:32 BST
Updated 7th Jun 2018, 20:22 BST

Sergeant Trish Reeve-Fowkes, in charge locally of the annual Operation Columbus police initiative to protect visiting language students, acted on Tuesday following an attack in which a 15 year-old German girl suffering bruising after being grabbed bt the hair and punched in the face by an English girl.

The Sergeant said: "Over the last week there have been four separate incidents involving students visiting Bexhill from Germany.

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"On Sunday at around 10.45pm a group of students were walking through Sidley on their way to their host families when a group of English boys and girls approached them.

"One English girl punched a 14 year-old German student on the side of the face. This again was unprovoked.

"The description of the girl is about 16 years old, blonde curly shoulder-length hair an wearing jeans and a turquoise top with thin straps. She had tattoos on both upper arms and on her back."

Sergeant Reeve-Fowkes is appealing for anyone with information about the incident, in Watermill Lane, to contact her or PC Ray Turvey at Bexhill police station on 0845 6070999.

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Last Thursday at about 9.30pm digital camera was stolen from a student's bag while he was on the beach.

Sergeant Reeve-Fowkes said: "Another incident occurred last Friday night. It involved three students aged 15 years being assaulte by two English males.

"This happened in Upper Sea Road at about 10.15pm. One boy received injuries to his neck and another to his right temple.

"The students were in a group of five walking to their host families. They had stepped to one side to allow these males to pass when the attack occurred.

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"One male has been arrested in connection with this and is on bail pending further inquiries.

"On Friday, August 12 at around 7pm in Dorset Road, a 13 year-old student was punched on the nose by an English boy.

"This was completely unprovoked.

"This year has shown an increase in unprovoked attacks on young visiting students. It is sad that a minority of young people who live in Bexhill feel it necessary to carry out these attacks.

"It reflects badly on the community as a whole and carries a negative message back to Germany."

Related topics:BexhillPoliceSidley