A SHOPKEEPING family say they have suffered a year-long of campaign of hate - including racist taunts - from an abusive teenage boy.

Jeetender Sangha, his wife Rajwinder and their family, who have managed Springfield Stores in Bradford Road, Idle, for more than 25 years, say they have been racially abused, verbally taunted and had things thrown at them - all by the same culprit.

Now, 43-year-old Mr Sangha said his family has had enough, and have called for help from the police and others to deal with the issue.

The latest incident happened on Boxing Day when an advertising sign was thrown at Mr Sangha's 64-year-old dad, injuring his foot.

It happened shortly before 7pm, when the youth - who has been banned from the shop by Mr and Mrs Sangha - went into the shop with a friend.

"He has come into the shop while he is banned," said Mr Sangha. "He was told to leave, but didn't and started acting cocky.

"My dad and wife were in the shop. My dad got him out of the shop.

"Then he dragged the sign along and threw it at my dad. It hit his foot and he has bruising. It has shaken him up - he is 64 and is not a spring chicken."

Mr Sangha, who works for Manningham Housing Association, added: "If my wife is in the shop alone, it makes me a bit uneasy. I sit at work with the CCTV camera on my phone. My mind is in two places - you worry about your family.

"It is race hate. He is always making racial comments. My wife is very shaken up by it - and she is sick of it.

"She carries on because it is a way of making a living. We are disappointed with the police not apprehending the youth. And David Ward the MP has not responded to us."

Mr Sangha said he was considering making an official complaint to police.

In reference to an incident where a stone was thrown at his wife's head by the youth, Mr Sangha said: "Not long after my wife gave a statement, police closed the case. They could not find the kid."

A police spokesman said extensive inquiries were carried out into the stone-throwing, including holding a meeting with the Sanghas and viewing CCTV footage.

He added: "We investigated it as well as we could."

Bradford East MP David Ward (Lib Dem) also pledged to speak to Mr and Mrs Sangha about the issue.

"Police need to take action against him," said Mr Ward. "It seems to be a personal vendetta that this young man has against them in particular.

"If it was of a racist nature, I would expect police to take it very seriously."

Councillor Geoff Reid (Lib Dem, Eccleshill), said: "It is a great shame that this is happening. It is mindless, really. It does not do the community or the family any good."

He added: "We will be having a ward partnership meeting at the police station in January, and this is the sort of thing that will be raised."

Sergeant Jason Stoney, of the Bradford East Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "We can confirm that we are investigating a report of a racially-aggravated assault.

"Our inquiries into this incident remain ongoing and we would ask for anyone who might have witnessed the incident, or any suspicious activity in the area at that time, to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."

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