Chinese immigrants in one of Europe’s biggest Chinatowns were accused of carrying out vigilante attacks on other foreigners as police conducted raids on Friday in the Tuscan town of Prato.

Tens of thousands of Chinese live in Prato, a satellite town of Florence, with many working in sweatshop conditions in factories that produce clothing, handbags and fashion accessories.

Italian police are investigating the activities of a shadowy cultural association called “The City of the White Deer” and suspect that its members have been responsible for attacks on North African immigrants and Roma gypsies who they accuse of being responsible for thefts and burglaries.