Businesses sign asylum petition

Asylum issues provoke strong emotions

Some shopkeepers in an area of Derby have petitioned the city council to take action against refugees and asylum seekers.

The traders claim that they are making the local community unsafe.

The arrival of around 1,000 refugees and asylum seekers in Normanton has created some friction with local residents.

Some of the area's shopkeepers say a take-away which is open until the early hours of the morning is popular with the refugees, and that residents are disturbed by late-night noise as a result.

Large groups

They also claim that many of the newcomers are young men who hang around in groups on the street.

Local resident Chandra Nair says he is living in fear: "What can I do? I am 70 years old.

"I just try to keep away but they throw stones at my windows and door, what can I do?

"I have spoken to the local police and they say they can do no more because they are short of manpower."

Police say there have been a number of minor disturbances involving young men fighting, and at least one stand-off between two large groups.