Menu
27/02/2008
Racist Attacks Target Polish Immigrants - But Their Numbers Falling
There has been an increase in the number of apparently racially motivated attacks in Co Armagh.
Police have said they are "extremely concerned" about an increase in these racist attacks in Portadown.
As a result, officers are on daily patrols in the Killycomain area and have introduced extra weekend patrols as well.
Speaking through an intepreter on BBC Radio Ulster today, one Polish woman - who didn't want to be identified described how her son was attacked.
"He was hit on the head by two boys and was taken to the hospital, he had stitches on his head, and that case was reported to the police", she said.
However, the huge influx of Polish workers, which has transformed the labour market across the whole of the UK, has peaked, official statistics have now disclosed.
More than 750,000 east and central European immigrants have flocked to all parts of Britain since eight former eastern bloc countries joined the EU in 2004.
But the tide seems to be turning as the economies of the new EU member states strengthen.
The numbers of east European immigrants approved to work in Britain dropped from 227,875 in 2006 to 206,905 last year, a fall of nearly 10%, and the trend is expected to accelerate over the next decade.
Poles, who make up two-thirds of the newcomers, are understood to be returning home in greater numbers, drawn by higher salaries, job shortages and the fall in the value of the pound.
Danny Sriskandarajah, Head of Migration at the Institute for Public Policy Research, said some were choosing to work in other EU countries which were loosening employment rules.
"Migration from Poland is very unlikely to continue at the levels we have seen in the first few years we have seen after enlargement," he said.
"It has always been a question of when these flows started drying up, rather than whether they would."
(BMcC)
Police have said they are "extremely concerned" about an increase in these racist attacks in Portadown.
As a result, officers are on daily patrols in the Killycomain area and have introduced extra weekend patrols as well.
Speaking through an intepreter on BBC Radio Ulster today, one Polish woman - who didn't want to be identified described how her son was attacked.
"He was hit on the head by two boys and was taken to the hospital, he had stitches on his head, and that case was reported to the police", she said.
However, the huge influx of Polish workers, which has transformed the labour market across the whole of the UK, has peaked, official statistics have now disclosed.
More than 750,000 east and central European immigrants have flocked to all parts of Britain since eight former eastern bloc countries joined the EU in 2004.
But the tide seems to be turning as the economies of the new EU member states strengthen.
The numbers of east European immigrants approved to work in Britain dropped from 227,875 in 2006 to 206,905 last year, a fall of nearly 10%, and the trend is expected to accelerate over the next decade.
Poles, who make up two-thirds of the newcomers, are understood to be returning home in greater numbers, drawn by higher salaries, job shortages and the fall in the value of the pound.
Danny Sriskandarajah, Head of Migration at the Institute for Public Policy Research, said some were choosing to work in other EU countries which were loosening employment rules.
"Migration from Poland is very unlikely to continue at the levels we have seen in the first few years we have seen after enlargement," he said.
"It has always been a question of when these flows started drying up, rather than whether they would."
(BMcC)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
13 January 2017
Man And Woman Shot In West Belfast
A man and woman, aged in their 50s, have been shot in the legs in west Belfast. The attack happened at a house in Norglen Parade shortly after 6.15pm on Thursday, 12 January. The victims, understood to be husband and wife, were taken to hospital to be treated, however their injuries are not believed to be life threatening.
Man And Woman Shot In West Belfast
A man and woman, aged in their 50s, have been shot in the legs in west Belfast. The attack happened at a house in Norglen Parade shortly after 6.15pm on Thursday, 12 January. The victims, understood to be husband and wife, were taken to hospital to be treated, however their injuries are not believed to be life threatening.
25 August 2015
Heart Attacks Kill Six People In NI Every Week
Heart attacks kill six people in Northern Ireland every week, according to research by the British Heart Foundation (BHF). 314 people aged under 65 died from heart failure last year. In 2013/14, there were 5,400 heart attacks treated in Northern Ireland hospitals. This figure has risen from 4,600 the year before.
Heart Attacks Kill Six People In NI Every Week
Heart attacks kill six people in Northern Ireland every week, according to research by the British Heart Foundation (BHF). 314 people aged under 65 died from heart failure last year. In 2013/14, there were 5,400 heart attacks treated in Northern Ireland hospitals. This figure has risen from 4,600 the year before.
03 September 2014
Men Arrested Over Graveyard Vandalism
Six men have been arrested after headstones were vandalised at a graveyard on the Drum Road in Cookstown, County Tyrone, in an attack that police have described as a "hate crime". The gravestones were scraped and sprayed with sectarian graffiti in the overnight attack.
Men Arrested Over Graveyard Vandalism
Six men have been arrested after headstones were vandalised at a graveyard on the Drum Road in Cookstown, County Tyrone, in an attack that police have described as a "hate crime". The gravestones were scraped and sprayed with sectarian graffiti in the overnight attack.
27 January 2012
All-Ireland Fleadh Decision Due
A decision is due over the weekend as to the location of the 2013 All-Ireland Fleadh. The decision will be revealed in Dublin on Saturday when members of the 31-strong central executive of Comhaltas cast their vote. In the running are Londonderry, Sligo and Ennis.
All-Ireland Fleadh Decision Due
A decision is due over the weekend as to the location of the 2013 All-Ireland Fleadh. The decision will be revealed in Dublin on Saturday when members of the 31-strong central executive of Comhaltas cast their vote. In the running are Londonderry, Sligo and Ennis.
23 January 2012
Derry's Fleadh Bid Refused
Dissident republican violence in Londonderry last week has resulted in the city losing all hopes of staging the first all –Ireland fleadh. Last week two bomb attacks shook the city. Police in Derry have claimed dissident republicans are responsible. No one was injured.
Derry's Fleadh Bid Refused
Dissident republican violence in Londonderry last week has resulted in the city losing all hopes of staging the first all –Ireland fleadh. Last week two bomb attacks shook the city. Police in Derry have claimed dissident republicans are responsible. No one was injured.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Storm Bert will move east through the Northern Isles today. Though weakening it will still bring strong to gale winds to many in Northern Ireland and showers to all, these frequent, occasionally heavy across northern districts. Maximum temperature 10 °C.Tonight:Strong west to northwest winds easing overnight. Showers, most frequent during the evening and in north but dwindling overnight to leave most dry and bright come dawn. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
