Hunt for racist gang goes on

The gang burst into the Munchee takeaway

Police in Durham are continuing their hunt for a racist gang who battered three pizza shop workers with pool cues.

The victims needed hospital treatment after being beaten into unconsciousness at their takeaway in County Durham.

The Algerian owner has since been released from hospital, but his two employees - one Libyan and one Kurdish - are still receiving treatment on Monday.

The men were left with severe head and facial injuries after the attack at Munchee takeaway at North Road, Catchgate, near Annfield Plain.

Racist graffiti was daubed at the premises

One of the men was still unconscious when police arrived shortly after the incident, at 2000 GMT on Saturday.

The three victims were taken to the University Hospital in Durham for treatment.

Racist graffiti was daubed on the outside of the takeaway.

Organised attack

Acting Chief Inspector Ian Butler, of Durham Police, told BBC Newcastle: "In our opinion this was purely and simply a totally unprovoked and premeditation racist attack

"There is no motivation other than that."

A police spokesman said: "It was quite obviously organised and carefully orchestrated beforehand.

"The gang made sure everyone knew the motive for attacking these innocent men by spraying the graffiti.

"One victim has been released from hospital and the other two have been kept in for observation."