Police and asylum seekers join forces

Refugees and asylum seekers hold a protest against the Government Immigration Bill which they believe could endanger failed asylum seekers, with Lucy Lucy, the founder of Destitute Asylum Seekers Huddersfield, at the forefront the meeting. Attendance was lower than normal due to Ramadan, but DASH was still able to field five volunteer interpreters in Farsi, Urdu, Sorani Kurdish, French and Arabic from its client volunteers. “Everyone understood what was being said,” explained Lucy.

One woman later told of wearing a niqab – or full-face veil – and how an attacker tried to rip it from her. He was stopped by a passer-by.

Another woman suffered abuse and called 999 but police did not attend until 48 hours later.

Officers at the meeting offered advice for keeping safe, although it was clear that many asylum seekers and new refugees avoid going out in the evening. Recommendations included: Try not to go out alone; go with a friend.

Phone 999 or 101 if there is an incident.

If you are a bystander, try and video the incident.

If you are a bystander and wish to assist the victim, be careful to use reasonable force.

“It was a nice atmosphere and people felt reassured by that,” said full-time volunteer worker Lucy, 61, who is based at the Salvation Army building in New Hey Road on Mondays and Thursdays.

“They cannot get to their families because their families are not here so we get them what they need,” she added.