3:07pm Thursday 2nd July 2009
By Kevin Bradford
A PATRIOTIC van man claims he was racially targeted after his vehicle which displays British flags was pelted with glass bottles at the weekend.
Stephen Curry, who manages a waste clearance business, was driving along West Hendon Broadway towards the BP garage on Saturday morning when two men began shouting abuse and launched beer bottles at him.
The 38-year-old believes the attack was prompted because his grey Ford Transit is emblazoned with the Union Flag and the individual flags of the UK countries.
“This is a case of the British flag being discriminated against,” said Mr Curry, who narrowly avoided being hit by one of the bottles as it smashed against the passenger side door just above the open window.
“It is a shame in this day and age for anybody to feel too intimidated to fly their flag.
“If the bottle had hit me, it would have caused me serious injury. I am being oppressed for flying my flag.
“No other car was being attack, so why else would they have targeted my van?”
The two men were described as being aged between 19 and 22, and were wearing smart casual clothing. One was thought to be wearing a bright pink polo shirt.
It is not the first time the work van has been targeted since the flags were put on three years ago, Mr Curry said, and there are darker paint marks all over the sides where he has been forced to cover-up offensive language that has been scribed on.
“I have no problem with anybody flying their flag, it is part of national identity,” he said.
“I resent racism of any kind to any ethnic group and nobody should be bullied out of displaying a symbol of their nation.
“I can't take them down through a sense of pride and I will have to be taken to the grave before they are removed.”
Barnet Police confirmed they are investigating the attack as a racially aggravated incident, and said those investigations are on going.
They appealed for any witnesses to the incident, which happened at about 10am, to come forward and contact officers on 0300 123 1212 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
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