As Eltham is blighted by a series of racist attacks on black residents, Reporter CHRIS STEEL speaks

to one of the victims and asks Greenwich Council what else can be done to tackle the scourge of racism in the borough ...

RACIST scum are still blighting Eltham. That is the view from the victim of the town's latest racial attack, Lee Evans, 24, who feels fortunate to be alive after being brutally assaulted by six white youths, in Court Road, on July 2.

The systems analyst in the City, who is still unable to eat solid food, spoke of his anger at the screaming racists who targeted him and his cousin Kassim, 22, as they walked home.

He said: "A car flew past us and there were shouts. It stopped at the end of the road and some people jumped out.

"We'd never seen them before but they all had bottles.

"Then the car turned around and drove straight towards us. We realised they were all shouting racist abuse."

The savage attack which followed, left his jaw broken in two places and a bootprint imprinted on the side of his face. His mouth is still heavily wired.

Mr Evans is now out of hospital but his cousin is still ill with a swollen brain.

He cannot remember how long the attack lasted, only that somehow he managed to knock a knife out of a thug's hand before it was too late.

"I feel nothing but anger. What right do these people have to force my family to live in fear? My mum's now too scared to let me leave the house. But if I hadn't knocked the knife away these idiots could have killed me."

His mother, Cathleen Evans, whose black friends refuse to travel to the area through fear, explained: "Eltham is a lovely place but the reputation of the entire area is being ruined by these scum.

"There are pubs in Eltham which everyone knows are used by racists as meeting places, but it's allowed to carry on it's almost as if people are beginning to accept the hate.

"These people are causing Eltham serious problems and something has to be done. The police are doing all they can but it's also up to the council and MP Clive Efford to put their heads together. On another day I could have lost my son to these people".

csteel@london.newsquest.co.uk

WHAT WITNESSES SAW COULD BE CRUCIAL

NEWS Shopper readers who witnessed either of the two attacks are being asked to step forward and speak to Greenwich police.

In the first attack, at 8.20pm on July 1, a gang of six stabbed a 30-year-old man in the back as he walked down Westhorne Avenue, after a disagreement over property turned into a race row.

At 11.30pm on July 2, five youths leapt from a silver Ford Escort in Court Road and launched their assault on the two cousins. Passengers on a passing bus are believed to have seen this attack, and their evidence could be crucial in making arrests.

Anyone with any information on the Westhorne Avenue attack on July 1 should call 020 8217 6518, and for the Court Road attack on July 2 call Greenwich Community Safety Unit on 020 8284 9855. You can also remain anonymous by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

SPEAK OUT TO STOP RACISTS'

Greenwich Council's head of social inclusion and justice Harcourt Alleyne, is calling for a united effort to stop the racists.

Reports of racial incidents are up 20 per cent in the borough this year, rising from 738 to 892. Assaults were down by 12 per cent in the same period.

Following the recent attacks in Eltham, Mr Alleyne said it is up to everyone to tackle the problem.

" Greenwich, Council and community are shocked at the recent attacks in Eltham.

"But there is no easy answer to the problem of racism. It doesn't just affect black people. It affects us all, and so it is up to us to crack it.

"The council has a role in tackling racism but for progress we all need to pull together to bring about lasting change".

He concluded the rise in reported racial incidents signified a greater willingness for victims to come forward, not rising prejudice. But he still believes more can be done: "What we really want is for more people to feel comfortable about coming forward and speaking out."

Racism victims can call the council's racial harassment hotline on 020 8855 7191 or a 24-hour hotline on 07956 921901.

July 16, 2002 12:00