Racist gang assault on young boys

Masked alt-right hooligans beat up two young Algerian teenagers in full public view in Dénia in what is believed to have been a racist attack, National Police revealed on Friday.

They said a gang of at least 15 youths in balaclavas descended on a children's park near the old fishermen's cottages at about 18.30 the night before, kicking and beating two North African boys without provocation. Horrified residents, who rushed to their aid, say the attack 'appeared to have been planned' and that the hooded youths 'reminded them of football hooligans you see on the telly'.

They were described as 'big and bulky', and were all kicking the boys – aged around 14 – at once.

Park neighours say kids from the Las Rotas shelter, especially Moroccan and Algerian children and teens, often gather in the square in the evening, mainly to chat and use the free wi-fi to talk to their families in their home country.

They are quiet, well-behaved and never cause any trouble, residents say.

Nearby women fetched chairs from their houses for the injured boys and calmed them down.

One of them was so badly hurt and in shock that he too dizzy to stand.

Both were taken to hospital, but later discharged. Residents, police and councillors are extremely worried, since although far-right graffiti and threats have occasionally been reported in Dénia, there have never been previous incidents of brutal and unprovoked racist assaults on strangers.