COUNCILLORS sat in silence on Wednesday as Mal Hussain addressed the full council to ask for a public enquiry into racist attacks against him.

The Ryelands shop keeper said he was still a victim of prejudice on the estate and that the authorities had not done enough to protect him and his property.

And he returned to his mini-mart on Wednesday afternoon to witness fire crews fighting a suspect fire in an empty property behind his shop.

"It's still crazy here," said Mal, "Only last week a child of three was carried into the shop chanting racist abuse at me.

"It is important to change the perception that a person is only a victim of racism if they are murdered or lie six foot under the ground.

"Only a public enquiry can address this complex case and ensure that isolated victims of racism are not left to suffer alone."