Burnley hit-and-run 'racist'

Shahid Malik toured Burnley, appealing for calm

A "racially motivated" hit-and-run incident disrupted the relative calm in the trouble-hit town of Burnley on Tuesday night.

Police made no arrests overnight but said a car - with four Asian men inside - was driven at two white men after racist remarks were exchanged.

One of the men managed to jump out the way, but the other suffered a broken leg.

Detectives do not know whether the "serious" incident was linked to the racial violence in the town at the weekend.

Meanwhile, Home Secretary David Blunkett said it was wrong to blame the government for the troubles in Burnley.

There's no point blaming the government...if in fact the message from parents is the wrong message

David Blunkett, Home Secretary

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme people needed to be "ahead of the game" to prevent small flare-ups becoming major incidents.

He said: "There's no point blaming the government, local government or someone else if in fact the message from parents is the wrong message.

Mr Blunkett said there were signs that children were picking up racist language from their parents.

"In the case of Burnley it was the second highest British National Party vote in the General Election and therefore we need to look at danger signals like that," he said.

Tensions

Police are appealing for calm after the hit-and-run which occurred during a night when more subdued police tactics appeared to have been successful.

Officers had been on the streets in large numbers but did not carry riot shields and made no arrests.

This was in marked contrast to the previous three nights which saw numerous arrests as well as some firembombings as racial tensions threatened to boil over.

Senior Labour party member and community activist Shahid Malik toured Asian areas of the town on Tuesday night to appeal for calm.

Mr Malik suffered cuts to his head on Monday night which he said were the result of being knocked unconscious with a riot shield by police.

But he says he is confident the alleged assault will be investigated thoroughly and fairly.