AN Asian man was stabbed four times and his friend was kicked in the face during a racially motivated attack in Lloyd Park on Tuesday, August 10.

The 30-year-old was rushed by ambulance to Whipps Cross University Hospital after being stabbed twice in the back, once in the back of the head and once in his left shoulder. His 29-year-old friend suffered a possible broken or dislocated jaw.

The 30-year-old victim's injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

Police said the two men were playing tennis in the Forest Road, Walthamstow, park and were with a group of around 13 friends at 7.20pm when they were approached by three white teenagers who started shouting racial abuse.

The attackers surrounded the two friends and one of them pulled out a knife and started stabbing the 30-year-old.

During the attack, the 29-year-old fell to the ground where one of the teenagers kicked him in the face before they ran off towards Brettenham Road.

They were chased by the victim's friends but escaped. Police received information that the attackers had been seen in the Billet Road area but they were not located despite an extensive search.

Police then received more information and, after raiding a house at an undisclosed location, arrested three people.

A police spokesman said they were treating the attack as racially motivated and three teenagers two 16-year-olds and an 18-year-old have been arrested for racial grievous bodily harm.

They had not been charged when the Guardian went to press.