York's new strategy to deal with racial harassment has received high praise from a man who suffered non-stop abuse at the hands of bigots for ten years.

Mal Hussein, who hit the national headlines following years of arson attacks and attempts on his life, said he was overwhelmed at the will in York to take on racists.

Mr Hussein was guest speaker at the launch of York's strategy at a meeting of the Building Bridges Forum yesterday.

He told the audience of his ten-year battle against not only the racists who attacked him and his shop almost daily but also against the police in Lancaster who failed to pursue those responsible.

Speaking after the launch, he told the Evening Press he was sure that the steps to be taken in York could prevent any local ethnic minorities from having to endure what he had been through.

"I am overwhelmed at the will there is in York to challenge racism in the community," he said.

"This strategy shows the political will and the right attitude are there to change things."

The meeting heard that, although not in the same league as Mr Hussein and his experiences, ethnic minorities in York were on the receiving end of racially motivated harassment and assaults.

Shan Oakes, of Safer York Partnership, said: "We are trying to ensure the things we have heard about from Mr Hussein do not happen here.

"Some very bad things do happen in York, but we want to make sure we can stop it at all levels."

The aims of the strategy, which is currently under public consultation and will be implemented in March next year, are to reduce the fear of racial harassment and the number of incidents in the city, to provide support for victims and to make the reporting of incidents easier.

david.wiles@ycp.co.uk