A shopkeeper has spoken of his terror and heartbreak after staff were subjected to a racist and violent attack at their family-run business in New Waltham.
Police were called to Premier Stores in New Waltham on Wednesday 23 April, after a group of youths entered the premises and allegedly attacked a man and a woman.
Footage of the violent incident circulated widely on social media.
In an interview with Gi Grimsby News, owner Arul described the events of that day as “horrible” and “frightening,” revealing how his wife was working alone in the shop at the time of the assault. “She was petrified,” he said. “It’s something that shouldn’t happen to anybody. We work hard, we serve the community, and we don’t deserve this.”
The attack, which allegedly involved young people shouting racist abuse and attempting to vandalize the shop, has left lasting fears on shop staff and their families. Despite having lived and worked in the community for more than a decade, they said they had “never come across anything like this before.”
Recalling the day of the attack, Arul explained how he had been working a long shift and had gone home to rest, before being called back urgently as a result of the incident. By the time he arrived, the situation had escalated, with Arul describing how youths physically attacked him and his wife while others hurled racist slurs.
“I couldn’t sleep after that night,” Arul said. “It’s always on my mind. My responsibility is to my family, and what happened was horrifying.” He also described the physical damage to the shop, with repairs expected to cost a significant amount.
In the aftermath of the attack, staff expressed their gratitude for the overwhelming support from the local community. “People were knocking on my door, coming into the shop to check if we were okay,” said Arul. “The New Waltham community group, local councillors, customers — they’ve all been amazing. Their messages and support have made us feel stronger.”
Humberside Police have launched an investigation, and have confirmed that a 16-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated assault, racially aggravated assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and racially aggravated fear or provocation of violence by words or writing.
He has since been released on conditional bail.
Despite the trauma of the incident, Arul told Gi Grimsby News that he remains determined to keep his business running and continue serving the community he has been part of for so long. “We put a smile on our faces every day. That’s what you do when you love your job.”
Part of the Gi Grimsby News team since 2020.