Sturgeon plea over ‘targeted’ attacks

THE First Minister has urged people to come forward with information following a spate of attacks on Asian communities.

Nicola Sturgeon spoke out at First Minister’s Questions at Holyrood after Tory MSP Jackson Carlaw raised the issue.

His Eastwood constituency includes areas which have had targeted housebreakings in recent weeks.

He said police had confirmed there have been a “sustained series of forensically aware gangrelated targeted attacks on Asian households” in Eastwood and East Dunbartonshire on the outskirts of Glasgow.

Carlaw added: “If we are going to tackle this particular and very pernicious attack on the Asian community, it does require all of the public to give whatever information they have to the police so that they can act on it.”

Sturgeon, who represents a large Asian population in her Glasgow Southside constituency, said the attacks were “absolutely unacceptable and should be completely condemned by all of us”.

She added: “I know people personally who have been targeted.

“Jackson Carlaw is right to say anybody in the community who has concerns should come forward. These attacks must be tackled.

“I think we should give all the support we can to a very valued and valuable part of our community.”