A MUSSELBURGH man says he has been left scared for his and his family’s lives after allegedly been targeted by racist abuse from youths.

Abrar Hyder, 50, moved to North High Street in 2021 from Pakistan with his wife Elena and two teenage daughters. He now works in various security roles in the town.

He said that since last November his family had been targeted by racist abuse from youngsters late at night who had smashed his car windows, shouted racial slurs at the home and left faeces on his doorstep.

The latest incident allegedly happened on Tuesday evening, when youngsters allegedly smashed the back window of his black Hyundai.

He told the Courier: “I am now scared for my life and for the life of my family.

"This has been going on now for months and nothing is changing.

“I have been to police, but we do not have CCTV and the people who did it were wearing hoods. Police do not seem interested in helping.

“These attacks are definitely targeted, nobody else on the street is having their cars smashed.

“We are now scared to leave the house, I am scared to return home late at night in case I get attacked.”

Abrar has two daughters, who are in S2 and S4 at Musselburgh Grammar School; he said that the alleged abuse was having an impact on them too.

He said: “In the beginning, I tried to hide it from my daughters. I would get up early and check the doorstep for things smashed or for waste on the doorstep.

“But now we cannot avoid it. My daughters are scared to go outside.

"We live next to the beach and I say to them to go out and enjoy the seaside, but they are too scared to leave.

“I moved over here to have a better life to raise my daughters. I do not want to argue with anyone, I do not want to have problems with people.

“It has reached the point where I don’t know what to do. How can I solve this problem? If nothing changes, I fear I will have to move away to keep my family safe.

"We deserve to live without fear, every person needs sunlight but we are living with our curtains closed.”

Abrar took to Facebook to share his experiences in a local Musselburgh Facebook group. He said that the support from the community was a huge lift for him.

He said: “People have been very supportive. They have told me to keep going and keep trying to get police to do something.

“I have written to my local MSP Colin Beattie, who said he was very sympathetic too.

“My neighbours too have been supportive. It was my neighbour who phoned police last time so I am very thankful to the community for their support.

“I would like to see this racist abuse stop but I am afraid I do not think it will.”

Abrar said that police were due to visit him tomorrow morning (Friday) to discuss the alleged abuse.

Colin Beattie, Musselburgh MSP, said: "I am concerned by Mr Hyder’s reports regarding racial abuse and vandalism.

"My office are currently in the process of dealing with his case and offering Mr Hyder further support.

"I wish to emphasise racial abuse has no place in our society and will not be tolerated.

"It is important that this is properly investigated by the relevant authorities and dealt with in a timely manner."

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Around 2pm on Monday, 16 January, 2023, we were called to a report of two vehicles being damaged while parked in the area of Ladywell, Fisherrow, Musselburgh.

"Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101.

"Around 9.45pm on Tuesday, 28 March, 2023, we were called to a report of a vehicle being damaged in the High Street area of Fisherrow, Musselburgh.

"Enquiries have commenced and are ongoing."

Police say they will meet with Mr Hyder tomorrow (Friday) to discuss his concerns.