Police out in force in Oldham

Emergency services faced petrol bombs and burning barricades

LONDON, England (CNN) -- Asian youth leaders have condemned rioting in the racially-tense northern town of Oldham but accused the police of being too heavy handed.

Police battled firebomb-hurling youths for the second night in a row on Sunday, though on a much smaller scale. There were a dozen arrests.

Officers were out in force, 100 in full riot gear patrolling with dogs as a helicopter circled overhead.

The Greater Manchester police said twelve vehicles were damaged with six burnt out, including one of their own. The office of the local newspaper the Oldham Chronicle and a shop owned by an Asian man were also targeted.

Ashid Ali, chairman of the Oldham Bangladeshi Youth Association, while condemning the violence, accused police of treating white and Asian youths differently amid the clashes.

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"For example, in the Westwood area last night there was a gang of white men at a pub shouting racial abuse and trying to cause trouble.

"They were confronted by a group of Asian youths but then the police arrived and escorted them away peacefully. Then the police came back and charged the Asian youths with riot gear.

"What we are asking is that the police give community leaders time to control the situation before they wade in with their vans and dogs and shields."

At a press conference, Chief Superintendent Eric Hewitt of the Greater Manchester Police rejected suggestions of bias, praising his officers for a "first class and very professional job" which he said had been "balanced."

He said police, working closely with the local council and "community intervenors," would maintain a strong presence in the area to prevent further clashes.

Prime Minister Tony Blair, on the campaign trail in Middlesbrough on Monday, also backed the police saying they had his full support amid a difficult situation.

Blair said the riots were not a true reflection of race relations in Britain today: "The vast majority of people want to live in peace and prosperity together."

The timing of the clashes -- Britain's worst racial violence in a decade -- is sensitive, with a general election only 10 days away.

Police will maintain "strong presence"

Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Simon Hughes told a Sunday television programme that the language used by senior centre-right Conservatives, like party leader William Hague, may have indirectly helped fuel racial tensions.

"It may not have a direct effect but it doesn't help and in some cases it may well encourage people to think they can get away with intolerant language and intolerant attitudes and sometimes intolerant behaviour."

Hague dismissed the attack, saying: "It's an accusation made by parties trying to play the race card themselves." Home Secretary Jack Straw of the ruling Labour party described Hughes's comments as "incredible."

Oldham has been the scene of increasing tensions in recent months with a series of rallies by the ultra-right wing National Front, a small but vocal group that opposes the presence in Britain of Jews, blacks and other racial and ethnic minorities.

The outbreak of violence on Saturday night was apparently sparked by an attack by white youths on an Asian family's home.

Asked about the causes of the violence Hewitt pointed to outsiders fomenting discontent under the guise of "raising political awareness." He said such elements had now been marginalised.

Ali, also pointed to outsiders, saying he understood the frustrations behind the rioting.

"Right wing extremists and members of the National Front have been trying to stir trouble every Saturday for five weeks, and for the main part, the police response has been adequate," said Ali

"But when a gang of white people came into Asian areas and began assaulting people and smashing up homes and businesses, the Asian youths felt they had to protect their community."

Ali, however said the problems were not simply racial: "The problems of Oldham have never been a race issue for us. It is about social inclusion for both white and Asian youths.

"That means a long term investment in jobs, health care, housing and improving the community for everyone."