'This was malicious and horrific' - council leaders condemn attack on two foreign students in Harborough over coronavirus

As we previously reported, the Brooke House College boys, aged 16 and 17, were pelted with eggs and racially abused in The Square at about 6.30pm on Monday February 3.

Cllr Phil King, leader of Harborough District Council, told a full council meeting on Monday night: “I condemn unreservedly those who recently attacked students from Brooke House College in some wildly misguided belief that because of their race they somehow were responsible for carrying this virus to the UK.

“Harborough District Council celebrates the diversity of all its residents no matter their ethnicity, culture, lifestyle, religion, sexuality, etc.”

He told councillors: “Hate incidents can be a crime.

“And via the Community Safety Partnership we will support the police and others to prevent this occurring again.”

Cllr King was backed up by Cllr Phil Knowles, who leads the authority’s Liberal Democrat group.

“There is no reason for malicious hate attacks like this,” said Cllr Knowles.

“They have to be deplored wholeheartedly.”

Cllr Peter James said: “This was malicious and horrific.

“This was the persecution of people who look different.

“I totally condemn it and I hope the police track down the offenders.”

The louts who ambushed the Chinese and Vietnamese students, which has shocked Harborough, are being hunted by police.

Officers are treating the attack as a “racially-aggravated incident” and anyone who has any information about the assault should call police on 101.

And to report a hate crime to the council visit www.harborough.gov.uk/hatecrime