The National Front has been threatening to march in towns and cities across Britain. Everytime the group's been banned by the 91热爆 Secretary. As we have seen to devastating effect in Bradford, Oldham and Burnley, the mere threat is enough to spark riots.
But what surprised me is the age of some of the right wing sympathisers. Last weekend in Sunderland a 13 year old was arrested by the police on a bus load of National Front sympathisers.
He wore the uniform hi-jacked by the right wing extremist and was shaking with indignation. A union tee-shirt, blue jeans rolled up at the bottom to reveal black boots. What was missing, or not visible, were the tattoos.
Paul Douthwaite from Tyne and Wear is a self-confessed racist. He was among 25 National Front sympathisers who were arrested last Saturday by the Northumbria police. They were moments away from a planned demonstration against asylum seekers in the centre of Sunderland. Paul was released without being charged. At thirteen he told me he knows why he'd like to see Britain free from refugees:
"I just don't believe they belong here."
Where should they be?
"In their own country."
These people have fled persecution, do you understand all that?
"But how do we know that's true?"
Do you have anti-feelings against foreigners?
"Yes, black and white. They don't belong here. It's our country. Our freedom's being taken away from us."
What about Asian and black people born here, who's as British as you are?
"They're still not British."
The pattern this summer has become routine. The National Front applies to march and is banned by the 91热爆 Secretary. Sometimes members arrive anyway and sometimes -- as in Bradford, Oldham and Burnley -- the suspicion or rumour of their presence sparks a riot.
How many others there are like Paul, who've joined extremist organisations, is not clear. They are unlikely to open their membership books to public scrutiny.
According to the latest figures from the 91热爆 Office figures when it came to last year the police dealt with nine hundred and sixty youths aged between ten and seventeen for racially aggravated crimes. These will include both white ethnic minorities.
But like many, Chief Superintendent Bob Pattison from Northumbria police, has one question:
"What's his parents doing letting a thirteen year old boy come into the city centre, where there is a real chance of serious disorder. I think the responsibility rests with the parents, not the police, for him being arrested."
Paul's father defends his son saying it is his democratic right to protest but denies the teenager is a racist.
So what about the other side of the debate, the Asian communities?
Teenagers in Bradford's Bangladeshi community believe that parents are responsible for passing on racial hatred to their off-spring.
Saqib Salam is the same age as Paul Douthwaite, thirteen. He watched when the petrol bombs and bricks were thrown at the police when the city erupted in violence last month. He did not take part. Saqib is clear about one thing. If racists want to cause trouble and attack his community then he defends the right to protect himself with equal force:
"They start it all then we should fight back. We shouldn't stand for it. If they start shouting racist comments then we should fight back. We can't just stand there."
Isn't the better solution to sit down and talk?
"Not happening because it's the NF they come round and start racist comments. They wind white people up and say all the black people are taking your houses, that's why you live in council houses, things like that."
How do we stop this happening?
"I don't know really, we can't stop that happening."
Two thirteen years olds miles and poles apart but the future of this country.
If there is anger and suspicion on the different sides what hope is there for reconciliation after a summer of race riots?
