Shock at BNP coin sticker

The Star by Claire Lewis | Tuesday, 5 May 2009 | Click here for original article

A SHEFFIELD shopkeeper has called in the police after he was handed a coin covered with a BNP sticker.

Zahid Ahmed, aged 39, who runs DJ's News in Crookes, said he was shocked to receive the coin and believes it was deliberately given to him as a racist gesture by a supporter of the British National Party.

The married father-of-two, who is originally from Pakistan and has run his business since December, said he did not notice who gave him the coin but it was handed over last Sunday morning.

"When I spotted it I could not believe it - I was shocked and upset to think that somebody would come into my shop and give it to me," he said.

"The BNP only accept white people, so this could be the party's way of spreading their message but Britain is a multi-cultural society.

"I have lived here since 1997 and have always worked – I have never claimed benefits in my life. I am contributing to society and do not expect to be treated like this - it is disappointing.

"The police say they have not had any other reports like this but if anybody out there has received a coin like this they need to come forward so that the police can get to the bottom of it.

"I see this as a form of racial abuse."

A South Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said the incident was being treated as a one-off.

She said: "Officers have attended at the address of the complainant. After speaking to the shopkeeper, police do not believe the £1 coin with the BNP sticker covering the back of the coin, was directly targeted at the shopkeeper.

"Police currently believe this to be a one off incident, as no other similar incidents have been reported."

To report a similar incident call police South Yorkshire Police on 0114 2202020.