A Bradford man who lost his home and business in a blaze is suing police for failing to protect him from racist thugs he believes caused it.

Sheraz Ghafoor, 21, of Undercliffe, today told how his life had been left in tatters since the attack on the premises where he lived with his young family. And he is furious that Humberside police officers have failed to trace those responsible for the incident in the predominantly white area of Stoneferry, Hull.

Today he accused them of bungling the investigation by allowing people to trespass on the crime scene and claimed money had been taken from the wreckage after the incident in November, 2001.

He said the police should have provided more protection for the family after a string of racist threats in the weeks leading up to the fire. He has now issued a civil claim against Humberside Police at Bradford County Court for £50,000 in damages for lost stock.

"We can't allow the police to get away with this," said Mr Ghafoor, who has suffered from stress and depression since the incident. "We lost our business, we lost our home, and we even lost our clothes. I've been unable to work and the whole family has had to move in with my parents. We felt like refugees."

Mr Ghafoor, pictured with his wife and two children, started his business in 2000 and won a 'young achievers award' and grant from the Prince's Trust for his efforts. But trouble flared when the family became a target for racist abuse, he said.

The shutters on the family general store were daubed with BNP and Combat 18 slogans and Mr Ghafoor's pregnant wife Neelam was threatened in the shop.

After September 11, the abuse intensified and the family were branded members of the Taliban and told their shop would be "burned to the ground".

"Most of our customers were brilliant and it was like having a big family there. We just needed a little bit of support from the police."

When the family returned from a trip to Bradford in the early hours of November 18, 2001, they saw their home and business on fire.

"My little girl was crying as the shop was burning down. It was like a war scene," said Mr Ghafoor. Because there were no metal shutters at the rear, the insurers would not pay out.

A spokesman for Humberside Police said the action would be "strongly defended".