A SPECIAL force of RUC detectives has arrested several people in Belfast and Ballymena, Co Antrim, in connection with robberies, burglaries and assaults against members of the Northern Ireland Chinese community.
The special team was established following an escalation of such attacks.
Last week Mr Simon Tang (28) died following an assault as he was leaving his takeaway restaurant in Carrickfergus, Co Antrim. His killers escaped with about Pounds 200, it is believed.
In two other incidents thieves threatened to scald the children of Chinese parents if they did not hand over cash.
Police believe that the attacks are motivated by robbery rather than racial prejudice. The assailants operate on the mistaken theory that because many Chinese are involved in cash businesses such as takeaway restaurants, they keep money in their homes, according to police.
Mr Ronnie Flanagan, deputy RUC Chief Constable, has sought to reassure the Chinese community of about 8,000, with the establishment of the special police unit.
Meanwhile, the Alliance Party has condemned a so called punishment beating in Newry, Co Down in which a 27 year old man suffered a broken skull. The attack happened shortly after midnight on Tuesday when a masked gang forced their way into the victim's home at Forth Avenue, Derrybeg.
The men attacked the man in his bedroom. He suffered a fractured skull, a broken wrist and fingers, and multiple cuts and bruising. He was described as stable in hospital.
Former Alliance Party chairman Dr Philip McGarry said that community leaders must take a clear stand against such acts of "fascism". He said that Sinn Fein's silence on the attack was "deafening".
