Five years on from 7/7: Graffiti scars tell of racial tensions that still blight lives in district

Five years after the 7/7 bombings, the problem of racial and religious hatred remains a real one in Beeston, as it does in other parts of Leeds. But the level of gang activity, and the role that racism plays, are difficult to gauge.

The task of tackling gangs and easing tensions caused by racist

attitudes has fallen to young men attached to Beeston's Hamara community centre which earlier this month was given a Lottery grant of 250,000.

Fahad Khan, 23, a Bradford University graduate of international relations, has the job of steering young people away from violence.

He visits Leeds high schools where he encourages young people to talk about the causes of their everyday disputes.

"Sometimes young people don't know what they are fighting about or for, the stigma goes back generations. We try to get them looking beyond their comfort zone."

He says young people in Beeston and elsewhere sometimes complain of "racism" too easily – including against their teachers – and that this simply antagonises people.

His own personal development took a leap forward soon after the 2005 bombings.

"I was 17 and studying A-levels. For me, personally, what happened became a blessing in disguise because it gave me a chance to do something positive and change things.

"These terrorists or extremists shouted loud but my aim is to scream louder – it's a passion of mine."

His work from the Hamara centre in Tempest Road focuses on developing a pool of mentors young people can look up to.

"I am very positive about the next five years. This Lottery funding will help us do a lot of good work."

One young Pakistani youth worker, who asked not to be named, said a hardcore of troublemakers caused misery in Beeston, with residents on alert for the release from jail of those who had "caused mayhem" in the past.

"We know who the key players are; they have caused havoc, smashing windows, shops, racial abuse, graffiti. They go to jail, get released and jailed again. They go through the justice system but don't learn."

He played down talk of racist gangs, saying that although the PHC was still around he saw no evidence that Beeston Massive, an Asian gang, was still active

"PHC was formed after the murder of Tyrone Clarke (the 16-year-old who died after being attacked by a mob of up to 20 youths in Beeston in 2004).

"After his death there were some attacks on Asian businesses."

Despite the problems he remains upbeat.

"Young people are rising to the challenge in life. We are bringing people together and we have pride in our community.

"The bombings in London hit us in a great way but we have bent over backwards to provide community cohesion."

His own experience of hate was confined to a single incident in July 2005 when a white couple in Beeston called him a "Paki bomber".

"I was in a state of shock at that comment, especially from a couple in their 50s. It happened a week after the bombings."

Fears of an extremist backlash did not materialise, however.

"There was talk of Leeds Service Crew football hooligans coming up but nothing really happened, which was a good thing. It could have

escalated into a riot.

"Thankfully we have strong role models. We speak to local youth and tell them the right way to go about things, not to take the law into your own hands, to stay away from this and that."