by The Commentator on 12 June 2013 10:28

Tensions are running high in the northern English town of Ashton-under-Lyne after a video circulating online showed a gang of what is reported as British-Pakistani youths attacking young "white girls" at a bus stop.

The incident, which occured in the town just outside of Manchester, has led to a number of groups calling for a 'march' or 'rally' in the town this coming Saturday, with the English Defence League quickly setting up an 'Ashton-Under-Lyne' branch of the group.

The video, which has been removed from YouTube but can still be found on LiveLeak, describes the incident last night as, "This is a video that has been taken in Ashton Under Lyne, England that shows a gang of Muslim youths attacking a group of white kids. Just before the filming had started one of the muslim youths had punched one of the white girls in the face. This is becoming a regular occurence on the streets of the UK."

While there have been reports of arrests after last night's incident, Tameside Police are yet to confirm this to The Commentator, though police services for the local area have said that they have received, "Lots of messages about the video, it's being investigated arrests are being made. We have no further comments until after the investigation." The force also tweeted that it arrest four people for "minor public order offences" after groups gathered in Ashton town centre last night.

There were also reports of further clashes as a result of the incident, which have been rebuked by local authorities. Tameside Council tweeted last night, "Rumours circulating tonight about alleged fighting in Ashton town centre. These reports are inaccurate, there has been no disorder."

Sources also suggest that police sent a text message out asking parents and guardians to keep their children away from the area, though this is also yet to be confirmed.

Counter-terrorism expert and The Commentator Contributing Editor Ghaffar Hussain said: "This incident will most likely turn out to be a local petty squabble between gangs of youths with too much time on their hands. There could be a racial dimension, however, it is highly unlikely the religion is a motivating factor for either side. The over-emphasising of the religion in such cases, and consequent politicisation of common crime, is a worrying trend and one that is being increasingly adopted by the far-right to further demonise British Muslim communities".

The assault, which apparently included cricket bats, and included a young man launching into a flying kick on a girl, is thought to have occured on Monday night.

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