News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A man murdered in a suspected race-hate attack was killed for speaking Polish, his brother claimed today.

Arek Jozwik, 40, and two friends were eating a takeaway pizza on the street when they were allegedly approached by a gang of teens.

The factory worker suffered a serious head injury during the altercation and later died in hospital.

Witnesses say up to 20 youths – including several girls – may have been involved in the incident.

Police have arrested six teenage boys on suspicion of murder.

Arek’s brother Radek, 36, made an emotional visit to the scene of his death.

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. Parents need to speak with their children – they are out of control.

"After the Brexit vote it has got worse. It is hard at the moment.”

(Image: SWNS)

Arek was attacked on Saturday night outside TGF Pizza in Harlow, Essex.

A restaurant worker claimed police had repeatedly been warned about trouble in the area.

He said: “I told police, ‘You know them, I know who they are – everyone knows them’. They are an out-of-control mob.”

Describing seeing Arek dying on the floor, he added: “He was in a really bad way. There was blood coming from his ear.”

Arek died of his injuries on Monday night.

(Image: Google)

DI Al Pitcher, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: “This is now a murder investigation.”

Four 15-year-olds and a 16-year-old have been released on bail. A 15-year-old boy is still in custody.

Paying tribute to Arek, his brother 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."

His 43-year-old friend, who is also believed to be Polish, was treated for fractures to his hands and also had bruising to his stomach and has since been discharged.

(Image: Google)

Police will be carrying out extra patrols in the area and we are working with our partners to provide reassurance to the community.

Anyone with information about the assault is asked to contact the Harlow Major Investigation Team on 101.

Alternatively, they can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or www.crimestoppers-uk.ns.com.