shaz619
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http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/r...knife-attack/story-30377096-detail/story.html
A 10-year-old girl playing in a Loughborough park had a knife held to her throat in a suspected racist attack.
Jewana Mahmoud was at the playground near her home when she was targeted.
Mum Samantha Jewell, aged 36, said it was the most serious incident in a catalogue of racial abuse that has included teenagers standing outside their house with a British flag shouting "go back to your own country".
It's become so serious that police have installed a panic button at their home, the Loughborough Echo reports.
Samantha, whose husband Rebeem Mahmoud, 38, moved to Loughborough from Iraq 20 years ago, said the abuse started when they moved to the house in May last year.
In another incident, teenagers set fire to a bush outside their house and kicked their front door while shouting racial slurs.
Samantha said: "The abuse has been horrendous, we haven't felt safe in our own home for a long time – I have had to sleep with Jewana in the same bed since the knife incident happened because she has been too scared to sleep by herself.
"We even had to have locks put on her windows because she thought that they would try and attack her in her sleep, and still she doesn't feel safe."
Jewana said that when she had a knife held to her throat, which happened in July last year, she was terrified.
"I just don't understand why they are doing this," she said. "When they shouted things at me I told them that I am a human just like them.
"Why does it matter what colour skin I have?"
The landlord, East Midlands Housing Association, is going to help the family move to a new neighbourhood.
A spokesperson for Leicestershire Police said: "We are fully aware of the detrimental effect these incidents are having on this family and we are working hard to tackle the behaviour being reported to us.
"Dedicated neighbourhood officers are conducting extra patrols in the area and are working closely with local partner agencies to ensure information is shared and all resources available are being utilised.
"A panic alarm has been fitted at the property by the force and work is being done by partner agencies to meet with the young people suspected of being involved, and their families, to educate them and divert them away from offending behaviour.
"Most importantly, we are speaking to the residents concerned on a very regular basis to reassure them and to work with them to resolve these issues.
"A 14-year-old boy was arrested on 31 May for public order offences and harassment.
"He has been released under investigation while further enquiries are made."
A 10-year-old girl playing in a Loughborough park had a knife held to her throat in a suspected racist attack.
Jewana Mahmoud was at the playground near her home when she was targeted.
Mum Samantha Jewell, aged 36, said it was the most serious incident in a catalogue of racial abuse that has included teenagers standing outside their house with a British flag shouting "go back to your own country".
It's become so serious that police have installed a panic button at their home, the Loughborough Echo reports.
Samantha, whose husband Rebeem Mahmoud, 38, moved to Loughborough from Iraq 20 years ago, said the abuse started when they moved to the house in May last year.
In another incident, teenagers set fire to a bush outside their house and kicked their front door while shouting racial slurs.
Samantha said: "The abuse has been horrendous, we haven't felt safe in our own home for a long time – I have had to sleep with Jewana in the same bed since the knife incident happened because she has been too scared to sleep by herself.
"We even had to have locks put on her windows because she thought that they would try and attack her in her sleep, and still she doesn't feel safe."
Jewana said that when she had a knife held to her throat, which happened in July last year, she was terrified.
"I just don't understand why they are doing this," she said. "When they shouted things at me I told them that I am a human just like them.
"Why does it matter what colour skin I have?"
The landlord, East Midlands Housing Association, is going to help the family move to a new neighbourhood.
A spokesperson for Leicestershire Police said: "We are fully aware of the detrimental effect these incidents are having on this family and we are working hard to tackle the behaviour being reported to us.
"Dedicated neighbourhood officers are conducting extra patrols in the area and are working closely with local partner agencies to ensure information is shared and all resources available are being utilised.
"A panic alarm has been fitted at the property by the force and work is being done by partner agencies to meet with the young people suspected of being involved, and their families, to educate them and divert them away from offending behaviour.
"Most importantly, we are speaking to the residents concerned on a very regular basis to reassure them and to work with them to resolve these issues.
"A 14-year-old boy was arrested on 31 May for public order offences and harassment.
"He has been released under investigation while further enquiries are made."