AN ASIAN man has been hospitalised after being set upon by youths in what police are treating as a racially-motivated attack.

Four Asian men had just left the community centre on White Hart Road, Plumstead, when their car was stoned by a gang of white and black youths.

Two of the men got out of the vehicle and chased the youths, who were all 18 to 20 years old, but returned to the car after losing them.

Some of the gang were waiting for them back at the car and attacked the driver with a scaffold pole and a wooden club covered with nails.

The driver sustained facial injuries in the attack, which occurred at 1am on Saturday, and is still being treated in a south east London hospital.

Detective Inspector Tim Grattan-Kane, of Plumstead police, said the ethnicity of the two groups was significant.

Det Insp Grattan-Kane said: “This was a vicious and unprovoked attack.

“There was clearly a racial element involved.” Police are urging witnesses to come forward and held a meeting with leaders of the area’s Asian community yesterday to discuss the incident.

Anyone with information about the incident should call Plumstead police on 020 8284 9865.