UK teens accused of 'hate crime' killing

The suspects include five 15-year-olds and one 16-year-old, according to police in Essex. On Wednesday, authorities said that the youths had been arrested earlier this week and subsequently released on bail.

Police were investigating their involvement in a possible "hate crime" after the murder of the Polish factory worker in Harlow, a town 50 kilometers (30 miles) north of London.

The 40-year-old man was attacked outside a row of takeaway shops on Saturday. He sustained head injuries and died in hospital on Monday evening. The attackers also injured another man, who is 43 years old. The second victim was hospitalized with suspected fractures to his hand and bruising to his stomach. He has since been discharged.

Turning point

The group of teenagers has been freed on bail until October 7, pending further inquiries.

British police reported a nationwide spike in hate crimes against foreigners after the UK voted to leave the EU in a June referendum. Some observers have blamed the rise in violence on the Leave campaign, saying it had increased xenophobic sentiments.

People from Poland are the second largest minority group in Britain, after people from India. There are 850,000 people from Poland living in the UK. In June, the Polish ambassador to London said he was "shocked and deeply concerned" by growing abuse against the Polish community.

dj/jm (Reuters, AP)