SOLIDARITY campaigners gathered in Erskine on Hogmanay in support of refugees after two weeks of far-right violence.

After Police Scotland’s withdrawal from the protests three weeks ago, Patriotic Alternative protesters, while few in number, have become emboldened in their approaches to both solidarity campaigners and refugees.

Their behaviour plunged to new depths on Christmas Eve when Jewish Stand Up To Racism campaigner Alex Meyer was kicked and punched while her disabled colleague Euan Mitchell was attacked by two men held in a headlock while being beaten with his walking stick.

The fascists were swift to run away on seeing the arrival of local Young Communist League members and hearing the sirens of approaching police officers.

Ms Meyer told the Star: “It was quite clear that they knew that trying to punch a woman, a Jewish woman and punching and assaulting a disabled person and stealing their walking stick that they require to walk was too far and they ran.

“They weren’t here when the police arrived, which just shows their levels of cowardice that they pick on the most vulnerable and they always pick on the most vulnerable.”

Mr Mitchell said: “They ran to their cars and drove away the minute they heard the sirens.

“It was like watching cockroaches scatter in the light.”

Some managed to return to the scene of the crime a week later on Hogmanay, but their apparent willingness for physical confrontation dwindled with their numbers, now down to about five.

After almost setting their own marquee on fire while, one of their number struggled to blow his self-styled “spiritual weapon” — a ram’s horn he appears to believe has anti-communist properties —they once again left early.

On week 47, refugees once again felt safe to come out of the hotel, mix with their friends and supporters.