Arek Jozwik, above, died after he was attacked by a gang of as many as 20 boys and girls in Harlow, Essex, on Saturday night

A murder inquiry has been launched after a Polish man died following a suspected hate crime beating.

The victim was today named by his brother as Arkadiusz Jozwik, 40, known fondly as Arek.

Arek, who moved to the UK in 2012, was allegedly targeted alongside his friend, who is also Polish, by a gang of up to 20 teenage thugs outside a takeaway in Harlow, Essex.

The gang, made up of boys and girls, are understood to have hurled abuse at the two men before launching the 'brutal attack, leaving them unconscious.

Police reportedly told Mr Jozwik's family that he had been attacked 'for speaking the Polish language'.

Essex Police confirmed the 40-year-old man from Harlow who suffered serious head injuries in the incident has died at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge.

His friend, identified only as a 43-year-old man from Harlow, was taken to hospital with fractures to his hands and bruising to his stomach. He has since been discharged.

Detectives believe the murder could have been a hate crime. Five 15-year-old boys and one 16-year-old boy have been arrested in connection with the incident.

They were all released on bail by Wednesday, pending further enquiries, to return on October 7.

A 48-hour dispersal order was imposed on the Stow from Tuesday night at 7pm, giving police power to fine anyone who refuses to leave once asked. Patrols have also been stepped up.

Mr Jozwik's brother Radek, 34, said Arek had no children of his own but was a family man.

He had worked at a meat production plant alongside their mother, who is said to be 'really struggling' after her son's death.

A murder inquiry is under way after a man died when he suffered serious head injuries in an attack outside a pizza takeaway restaurant on Saturday night. Above, two bunches of flowers have been left on a bench near to where the attack happened

Radek said: 'He really was a family person who spent a lot of time with my kids, he didn't have any kids but had been close with my kids.

'My kids have been with me in the hospital, crying all the time.'

Speaking at the spot where Arek was attacked, Radek said there had been a surge in hatred towards Eastern European following Britain's vote to leave the European Union.

Standing with wife Sylwi, 34, he said: 'The police have told us he was attacked because they heard him and his friends speaking the Polish language.

'He was standing eating pizza and they picked on him because of that. He does not speak much English. The young teenagers are so aggressive.

'Parents need to speak with their children - they are out of control. One of the teenagers started and then seconds later there are 10 or 12 people attacking him.

Another man, thought to be a friend of the victim, is in hospital with a bruised stomach and fractured hands. Five teens were arrested and four have since been bailed

'After the Brexit vote it has got worse - I have seen people change - it is hard at the moment.'

Mr Jozwik, a factory worker, said his mother was struggling to cope with the death of her son.

He added: 'My mum came back from holiday and did not know what had happened.

'We had to meet her at Stansted Airport and tell her and then take her straight to the hospital. She is really struggling.

'Arek came down to get a pizza - it was the first time he came down to get one.

'Normally he would get it delivered but for whatever reason he came to buy one and that's when all the trouble started.'

Radek Jozwik, the victim's brother, above, paid an emotional tribute to him at the scene where he was attacked and said he believes he was attacked because he was heard speaking Polish

The gang attacked Mr Jozwick and his friend outside a parade of shops in The Stow area of the town at 11.35pm on Saturday.

The friends were left near a branch of TGF Pizza, and a team of forensic officers sealed off the shops as they carried out investigations in a bid to find vital clues.

Senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Al Pitcher, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: 'This is now a murder investigation and our enquiries have quickly led to the arrest of five teenage boys.

'Following this vicious attack, a man has sadly lost his life and I urge anyone with information to contact us as soon as possible.'

The victim worked at a meat production plant in Harlow, Essex, along with his mother after moving here in 2012

Detectives are now studying CCTV and hope more witnesses from within the 20-strong gang will come forward.

Speaking when the attack was still being treated as assault DI Pitcher described it as a 'potential hate crime'.

'The motive remains unclear and we are continuing to keep an open mind.

'From our initial inquiries, we understand the victims were chatting and eating together when they were approached by a group of teenage boys.

'They were verbally abused before being assaulted and knocked unconscious.

'It is not yet clear how many attackers there were, but the suspects were part of a group of about 15 to 20 youths, both girls and boys.

'We understand not all these people were involved and we believe there will be witnesses who were deeply shocked by what took place.

'We know they may find it hard to come forward, but we would encourage them to discuss it with their parents and to contact police.

'They can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously if they are afraid to give their name or speak directly with us.'

In a Facebook post the Polish Embassy said ambassador Arkady Rzegocki would be visiting the murder scene .

A statement read: 'We have been shocked by the murder of a Polish national in Harlow. Yesterday Polish consul conferred with Essex Police. One of the lines of investigation is that of hate crime. We call on all witnesses to report to the police.

'Ambassador Arkady Rzegocki is visiting the site today [Wednesday] to pay his respects.'

Shop owners close to the murder scene revealed gangs of up to 50 teenagers regularly hang around the precinct, often openly smoking cannabis.

POLISH COMMUNITY IS 'LIVING IN FEAR' SAYS ESSEX MP Robert Halfon, MP for Harlow, said the Polish community is living in fear after this latest attack. Mr Halfon said the community is 'incredibly scared and upset' and that almost everyone in the town would have been horrified by the attack. He said: 'We have a wonderful Polish community in Harlow, they work incredibly hard, they have a wonderful Polish school that I've been to twice. 'All of us, I know because I have been contacted by some Polish members, are incredibly scared and upset at what has happened. 'But we must do more than be horrified. We must actively stand up against racism of any kind. We must welcome Polish and other communities just as we would welcome our best friends and we must all work together to ensure that Harlow remains a kind, decent and tolerant place to live.' Mr Halfon's own Jewish grandfather was forced to leave Libya in the 1960s due to racial persecution. Advertisement

One man, who runs an off-licence, said: 'There have been attacks in the past.

'There is a gang of the teens that hang around - they are taking drugs and they pick on anyone.

'It's made the area a no-go zone at night for locals as they are fearful of what will happen if they go out just to get a pint of milk.

'I have seen as many as 50 teens hanging round outside the shops.'

The man, who did not want to be named, said the group had been responsible for a string of attacks in the past year.

'This was the third attack that I know of. They have attacked Polish people before, but English people too.

'I don't think the CCTV is working - they don't seem to care what they do and who sees it.'

A cafe worker added: 'The teens sit outside here smoking weed and they don't seem to care.

'They kick footballs at our window during the day and get abusive when we tell them off.

'The police don't have any presence here - they will put officers here now that there has been a murder but they will be gone again in a week's time.

'It used to be really dangerous in this area in the past and I fear that it's heading that way again.'

Poignantly, two bunches of flowers have been left lying against a bench close to where the men were attacked, but no note has been left with them.

Shopkeepers said the area, pictured above, is a no-go area for locals, who fear what could happen if they pop out for a pint of milk

Labour councillor Waida Forman has condemned the attack and begged witnesses to come forward.

She said: 'Targeting foreigners for indiscriminate violent assault has no place in a civilised society.

'We believe we all have more in common than that which divides us.

'If we treat others how we would like to be treated ourselves, we would find everyone benefits from a peaceful society.

'We urge any witnesses to this appalling incident to contact Essex Police to ensure that justice prevails.

'Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims, their families and friends.'

Harlow residents spoke of their shock after hearing about Mr Jozwik's death.

Esther Patterson, 69, of Harlow, Essex, said: 'I'm shocked, I did not realise he had died now.

'I was really shocked to hear the news but it would not put me off coming down here.'

Eddie Burchmore, 73, said: 'It's most unusual, it's a quiet area. There was some trouble a while back involving a woman. I was surprised to hear about this.'

Douglas Williams, 88, from Harlow, Essex, added: 'I know there was a murder in Harlow but I did not know it was here. I am surprised.

'We have not had anything like that for a long time.'

Marcus Hendricks, 82, said: 'There was a lots of police and a big tent up.. People are saying that there had been a stabbing.

'I was a newsagent at The Stow for years and I don't see this problem getting any better.'

Brian Hazeltine, 73, from Harlow, Essex, said: 'We could not get in at the weekend, it was all cordoned off.

'The newspaper seller was trading out from the back. I'm not sure if there is a gang culture in Harlow but there is a culture of teenagers, there is nothing for them to do.'

Councillor Jon Clempner, leader of Harlow Council, said: 'I am saddened and shocked by this brutal attack in our community.

'My heartfelt thoughts and sympathies go out to the families and friends affected by this meaningless attack.

'I know Harlow and its communities will support each other through this and that all our communities will stand together.

'We don't know the full circumstances of what motivated this attack but whatever the motives were they will never ever have a place in Harlow.'

He added the authority was working with police to supporting the community and extra patrols were in place to provide reassurance.

An Essex Police spokeswoman confirmed: 'A murder investigation has been launched following the death of a man who was assaulted in Harlow.