Takeaway owner’s fears after assault by kid gang

The owners of a Chinese eatery where a customer was attacked by a gang of youths have warned that local children are running wild.

A 64-year-old was assaulted after leaving Maysum takeaway on Craigentinny Road last Wednesday night.

The attack had echoes of the tragic case of delivery driver Simon San, pictured right, who died in 2010 after being attacked by a gang of teenagers less than a mile away.

After the latest incident, the takeaway’s owners told the News they had been subject to racist abuse by groups of children aged 12 and under for months.

Maysum manager Becky Cheuk, 50, said: “They come into the shop shouting and then they just sit in the shop, calling us names. I tell them to go away but they just shout at us.

“They even put rubbish through the door and into my shop. It’s been happening over months. Once, sometimes twice, a week. They are young children and they have nothing to do. The police cannot really do anything about it. I feel very angry. And when they call me names, I’m very, very unhappy.”

She said the victim of the recent assault had previously called police about the problems in the area, adding: “That night we saw he was lying on the [fence] outside the bakery shop and calling for help. I called an ambulance.”

People living nearby said anti-social behaviour had blighted Craigentinny for some time, with gangs of children shouting abuse at residents and vandalising cars and bus shelters.

One community leader, who did not want to be named for fear of reprisals, said: “There is a problem with youths, particularly at that parade of shops. I’m sure this is caused by drink and drugs, some of the older ones have high speed cars as well – it’s very intimidating.”

When the victim of the attack was verbally abused by the youths, believed to be aged 10-15, he confronted the group and was pushed to the ground, sustaining a broken hip.

The resident added that the problems disappeared after the murder of Mr San, but had recently returned.

“It is really horrendous that this has happened to a 64-year-old man,” he said. It’s the second incident like this to have happened around here. We had the case of Simon San killed only down the road – he was just minding his own business.”

Police are keen to speak to any passing motorists, pedestrians or people who visited the takeaway who remember seeing the youths.

Community Inspector Nadine Aliane said: “The person involved recognised the gang as being from the local area, he had phoned the police before about general antisocial behaviour involving young people.”

But Inspector Aliane was keen to distance the crime from that in which Mr San was attacked: “Yes, both crimes took place in the same ward but the main difference is on this occasion it was not racially motivated.”

Extra police were assigned to the area over the weekend in a bid to allay fears.

Craigentinny Councillor Alex Lunn said: “The council have to be tough on antisocial behaviour but also has to ask why kids are hanging out in front of takeaways.”

Anyone with any information can police on 0131-311 3131 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.