Residents where a 17-year-old asylum seeker was savagely beaten by a gang of youths say they are now scared to go out at night.

The estate where the teen suffered serious head and facial injuries is home to many asylum seekers but some are now afraid they will be attacked.

The attack happened in Shrublands Avenue, Shirley, at 11.40pm on Friday (March 31).

Mum-of-two Sawsan Askoui, 41, came over from Syria 15 years ago and says she will not let her children out after dark because of the attack.

She said: "You cannot find seven people who are coming from the same country.

"Most of them are asylum seekers, the school little children are all asylum seekers.

"He is just a child, of course it was a hate crime.

"They didn't approach him until they knew he was an asylum seeker.

"People in this country hate asylum seekers."

Sawsan, who is mum to two daughters, 18 and 16, added: "I really feel sorry for him, I am worried for my own family now and I do not let my daughters outside at night.

"I told them not to talk to anyone."

MORE: Police release images of three wanted over horrific Addington asylum seeker attack

A shop worker from India, who would only give his name as Elanuwuan, who has lived on the estate for 17 years, said he has never had problems before, but is now worried he may be attacked.

Elanuwuan, 41, said: "I closed up shop at ten and then the trouble happened, but I did not see it.

"In the morning the entire place was closed off.

"I have never had any problems but I am now very scared, I have lived here 17 years.

"I am from India.

"I am worried and upset, I'm worried something like this could happen to me."

MORE: 'Frenzied attack' on teenage asylum seeker

Despite concerns, some residents say the attack has been blown out of proportion and insist there is no racial tension.

Siobhan Ross, 60, claims to know some of those arrested.

She said: "I am sorry for the whole area.

"I feel very sorry for the young people involved, we have had asylum seeks here for years and it's not about that.

"People live here side by side and they have done for years.

"I know some of the boys who have been arrested and they are just young people.

"There was a mini fracas when the victim's friends set on someone else.

"It was nothing to do with where he was from, are the police trying to stir up a riot?

"This is not an area where there is racial tension."

Another resident who refused to give her name said: "This has nothing to do with race hate.

"They've got it completely wrong."