Detectives were today hunting two men who brutally attacked a pair of Kosovan refugees at their Southend home.

The two victims, both in their 30s, were beaten with a tyre lever and a hammer and were left needing stitches in head wounds.

Two men and a woman are being sought by police after the attack, which is being treated as racially motivated.

The trio are believed to have gone to a block of flats in York Road, Southend, where the men allegedly set upon the asylum seekers in their separate flats.

The victims gave their statements with the help of an interpreter. An Essex Police spokesman said: "In the absence of some form of motive we believe this was a racist incident."

Sir Teddy Taylor , Rochford and Southend East MP, today revealed that Home Office minister Barbara Roche will visit the town on May 9 to see the refugee problem first hand.

He said: "This was a horrifying crime which I'm afraid is something which is rather typical. The joy of living in Southend used to be the particularly good community race relations.

"The public has got the feeling now that things have got out of control and there are a number of other incidents like this which I have raised with the Home Office."

"We have got to have a system for dealing with asylum seekers and make sure they are brought into communal areas and dealt with speedily."

Jane Held, Southend's social services director, voiced concerns only a few weeks ago about a reported rise in verbal racist attacks on asylum seekers in the town.

Today she said: "I am very concerned about any violence, particularly racist. I know the police will move swiftly to arrest those responsible.

"I am sure the vast majority of people in Southend would abhor behaviour such as this."

York Road resident Steve Woodfield said he did not condone any violence but was not surprised there had been an attack.

He said: "There has been quite a bit of tension in this area for some time because lots of Kosovans live down this street.

"I am not totally surprised by this but it should not have come to that."

Norman Hamilton, who runs a care home across the street, said his staff on duty on the night of the attack had heard and seen nothing.

He said: "I think it is terrible. There is no need to attack people."

One of the men was white, aged 33 to 35, between 5ft 4ins and 5ft 8ins tall, of medium build, with dark brown hair, brushed back. He was wearing a black leather jacket.

The other man was tall with long hair tied back in a ponytail.

The woman is not thought to have taken part in the attacks.

Anyone with information about the attack late on Monday night should contact Det Con Phil Butt at Southend CID on 01702 431212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111

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