Yobs hurled bricks at a family party... and victims say cops took over 1 hour to answer call

A FAMILY says celebrations turned to fear as young and old barricaded themselves inside a building to escape a mob hurling bricks.
Cars were damaged and family members say they were subjected to racial abuse outside the Masonic Hall, Blackwall, Bull Close Lane, Halifax.

They say it took police well over an hour to arrive, by which time the 30-strong mob had dispersed.

The party was held to celebrate a 16th birthday on Saturday and was attended by 80 people aged from two to 85.

Peter Salmons, 62, said people were waiting for lifts home when a group of Asian youths congregated by Balmoral Place.

Because the family feared trouble, Mr Salmons said he decided to get everybody back inside the building.

"Then the bricks started flying. They were breaking red bricks on the wall by the Nashayman Housing Association and throwing them and shouting racist abuse."

He said nobody was hurt but cars were damaged, including his Ford Fiesta, which suffered £500 damage.

Mr Salmons said the police were rung repeatedly, first at 11.16pm, but it took one hour 23 minutes for two officers to arrive.

"It is disgusting. We were only 30 yards from the town centre where there were police Transit vans," said Mr Salmons, of Bradshaw, Halifax.

Another partygoer said it was a terrifying experience.

"People were scared and we had to lock the doors," he said. continues here

Couple beaten in road rage attack

A 65-year-old man was beaten and his elderly wife suffered two black eyes in what police have described as a violent road rage attack in Bradford.Christopher Bell and his wife Beryl, 66, were beaten by four men after they clipped the wing mirror of a black Audi A3 on Pollard Lane on 9 June. 
Mrs Bell was punched in the face after she got out to help her husband. 

Speaking about the ordeal, Mr Bell said: "I saw her on the floor and blood was gushing out of a All four men are Asian. The driver is described as aged 25, 5ft 8in tall, a stocky build with short, black hair. The other three men are aged in their 20s, police said. cut on her nose." 
Police said the couple had been out shopping when they clipped the Audi's wing mirror.
Fearing the reaction of the driver and his passengers, they carried on but were followed by the car. 

They stopped on Pollard Lane and Mr Bell got out to speak to the driver. 

All four men then got out of the car and started hitting Mr Bell before setting on his wife. 

Mrs Bell said: "I was scared but I just saw them all hitting him so I got out and tried to stop it but I just got knocked unconscious." 

She added: "I think about it, I'm scared in case they look us up, but you've just got to try and get on with things." 

Det Insp Sean Duggan appealed for any witnesses to the attack, which happened at about 1510 BST, to come forward. continues here