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A police officer outside City University |
CAMPUS MOVES TO CALM FEARS AFTER ATTACKS
Tighter security and extra police patrols in wake of stabbings
SECURITY has been stepped up at City University after four students were stabbed close to its campus.
Police have been standing guard outside the law department, which houses a Muslim prayer room, following violent clashes on Monday and Thursday last week. Female students were urged by the university’s Islamic Society to go home before dark.
Up to 30 youths attacked students on Monday with bricks and metal poles.
Last Thursday students were under siege in the law building as fireworks were aimed at them. Later that day, after being advised by police to split up into smaller groups to avoid appearing “intimidating”, a group of students was ambushed in St John Street, Finsbury, where four were stabbed.
Minutes later, outside the university’s social sciences building, a second group of students was beaten to the ground, punched, hit with bricks and metal poles, leaving one unconscious.
Witnesses said the attackers, many on bikes, used their bicycle seats as weapons.
When the Tribune visited the campus after dark this week, up to 30 nervous Muslim students were gathering outside the prayer room to walk each other home.
Some were looking over their shoulder for fear the attackers would strike again.
It is believed the gangs, who have been taunting the students with anti-Muslim abuse, may live nearby, with several of those involved in the attack having been spotted in recent days.
The groups have been seen sending out lookouts to report back on the movements of students.
Three men, aged 17, 18 and 19, were arrested and released on bail until January. They have been banned from going within 100 metres of the university, and ordered not to contact students or prosecution witnesses.
International politics student Fahid, who did not wish to give his full name, was attacked outside the university seconds after his friends were stabbed in St John Street.
He said: “There were four of us. Around 20 of them came around the corner. We tried to get back but they surrounded us. They knocked two students to the floor. I was hit on the back of my head. One guy was left with concussion.
“Now there’s this constant fear factor. It’s restricting our freedom. It’s affecting our studies. We can’t stay late at uni because we don’t want to go home alone.”
Ali Elhamamy, a spokesman for the university’s Islamic Society, said: “This is my fifth year here. I’ve had absolutely no trouble before. On Monday, a student on his way to the prayer room was attacked by 10 to 15 guys.
“He managed to get into the building but they shouted they’d get him when he came out. Students decided to walk him to the station and the group came at them. They were hit with bricks and metal poles and were shouting ‘get those Muslims’.”
He said the society had advised female students to go home before dark, adding: “There’s a general sense of fear. Students are afraid things could escalate.”
The university’s acting vice-chancellor, Professor Julius Weinberg, and Students’ Union president Nikhil Raj Cumlajee released a joint statement this week saying they are “shocked and saddened” by the attacks.
“The university is taking this matter very seriously; the safety of students and staff is very important,” they added.
“The Islamic Society guidance that sisters should leave by 4pm is not university advice.”
Security has been increased at prayer meetings, as have campus-wide patrols. Islington Police Safer Neighbourhoods officers are working later shifts, with extra patrols focused around campus.
Evening prayers have been moved to a safer location and the university is looking to move the prayer room permanently.
Islington Police Superintendent John Sutherland said: “We’re treating both incidents very seriously. We view this generally as an isolated incident. People mustn’t forget the November 5 element.”
He said police were reviewing the level of protection given to students daily. Borough commander Chief Superintendent Mike Wise is meeting students next week.
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