A SOUTHAMPTON clergyman has appealed for calm as investigations into a race attack on the city’s Flower Estate continued today.

As reported by the Daily Echo police patrols have been stepped up after a family who had been celebrating a religious festival were the targets of a race attack.

A father of four was punched to the ground and racial abuse was hurled at his family and friends when violence erupted in the Honeysuckle Road area.

They had been celebrating Ramadan – one of the blessed months of the Islamic year.

The Vicar of Swaythling, the Reverend Gary Philbrick, pictured, has spoken of his shock over the incident.

He says: “On the Flower Estate where I live we enjoy a rich diversity of ethnic and religious origins and the great majority of people get on with their neighbours and respect those of different religious traditions. I am very saddened to hear about the attack on our Muslim neighbours in Honeysuckle Road. In any community there is a minority of people who are afraid of difference and who try to intimidate others.

“As members of the Church here we deplore any violence used against our neighbours. We encourage all those who live here to get to know those of other faiths and ethnic groups and to rejoice in the wide range of delightful people who live here.”

A police spokesman said that inquiries were continuing and they were following up various leads.