Police and youths clash in Australian riots

RACIAL tensions erupted yesterday into running battles between police and thousands of white youths, many chanting racial slurs against ethnic Middle Easterners, at a beachside suburb in southern Sydney.

At least 12 people were arrested for assault and other offences and several were injured in alcohol-fuelled fights at Cronulla beach.

“People of Middle Eastern backgrounds that have been seen in the Cronulla area - a swarm of the crowd has approached these people with vile abuse,” said Police Assistant Commissioner Mark Goodwin.