TWO asylum seekers have been attacked and mugged in separate incidents, police said today.

Detective Sergeant Ian Critchley of Darwen CID said offenders approached an asylum seeker at Darwen Bus Station at around midnight on Tuesday and knocked him to the floor.

During the attack a mobile phone and cash was stolen from the man. DS Critchley said the man was not taken to hospital as his injuries were not serious.

Darwen CID are also investigating another incident which happened outside the Godfather Pizza House on Duckworth Street on Sunday evening where another asylum seeker was assaulted.

The attack happened at around 7pm and the victim was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary with cuts to his head and discharged from hospital the following day.

DS Critchley said investigations into the incidents were taking place and they were appealing for witnesses to come forward. He added officers were currently liaising with the victims about their assaults.

In August this year it was revealed that asylum seekers in East Lancashire were living in fear of violence following attacks on refugees elsewhere in the country.

The development came as the government confirmed that Burnley was one of only three centres in the country where it had postponed its programme of sending in new asylum seekers. And families were moved in Blackburn because of the way some locals were treating them.

Blackburn with Darwen council belongs to an 11-authority strong consortium on North West councils which has offered to take in asylum seekers. The council offers asylum seekers basic accommodation and they receive 80 per cent of the basic level of income support.

A support team works within Blackburn with Darwen Council and helps asylum seekers when they arrive in the country. Head of the team Steve Geldard said in the summer that he saw Blackburn as a town which had done well in welcoming a rich mix of asylum seekers.

A council spokesman said he did not know about the latest incidents and said the victims were probably living in private accommodation.

Anyone with information about the attacks should contact DS Critchley at Darwen CID on 01254 353841.