Afghan couple tell of 'aggressive' racial attack

A couple who moved to the UK from Afghanistan 20 years ago said they were "horrified" to be racially abused and assaulted by a group of teens on bikes in Sheffield's Hillsborough Park.

Deena and Davod both work for the NHS and asked not to use their real names. They said the attack happened on the evening of Friday 26 June.

Several incidents have been reported in the last month involving groups of youths on bikes throwing rocks and physically intimidating residents and businesses in the area.

South Yorkshire Police said the force was "aware" of residents' concerns and had in the past weeks arrested three youths in connection with reports of anti-social behaviour, and seized two off-road bikes.

Davod said he and his wife were just looking for "fresh air" on an evening stroll in Hillsborough Park when they were "attacked" by the gang.

"About 14, 15 teenagers came on bikes around us and one of them smacked me from behind," he said.

"One of them got my hat and ran off down the park so I went to get my hat from him and then two or three of them came and assaulted my wife, smacking her and pulling her hair."

Deena said she was on the phone to her sister back home when the attack happened, leaving her "confused" and "horrified".

"They were quite aggressive, calling us names, saying 'go back to your country'.

According to Davod, one of the young men then threatened him with a "carpet cutter knife".

Police confirmed officers were called at 21:22 BST on Friday 26 June to reports of a "racially aggravated assault" in Hillsborough Park.

In a statement the force said: "It was reported a man and a woman were approached by a group of youths riding bikes who made racist and abusive comments and assaulted them.

"It is believed one of the youths then threatened the man with a knife and a short time later, the youths then fled the scene."

The attack has left the couple now avoiding the park and the gym nearby.

"We just want to be safe. We are hard-working people who pay our taxes," Deena said.

"We just want to live safe and have a simple life as the other citizens of this country have."

In the last month, local residents say there has been a number of incidents of anti- social behaviour near the park.

Janine Lawson has owned The Hillsborough Tap bar for 22 years and is chair of Hillsborough Forum community group, which is holding a community meeting later to address the issues.

"This is different from anything I've seen before," she said.

"These are not one-off events. This is people with covered faces, on e-bikes, regular bikes that are frightening people and using tactics of intimidation to purposely frighten people or damage property.

"We don't want to create fear amongst residents or amongst businesses, however it does feel that we've reached a level now where there's got to be some degree of intervention."

Charlotte Green, who lives next to Hillsborough Park, said incidents were happening on an almost "daily basis".

"We've had gangs of lads, all faces all wrapped up, on bicycles tearing down the street at midnight throwing rocks and smashing cars.

"It's upsetting for all of us but what would the police do, chase kids on bikes?"

John Watkins has been the manager of Hillsborough Exchange Shopping Centre for 15 years.

He has shared CCTV footage with police of youths riding through his centre.

"They're using bikes to travel around with hats on and masks to shield their identity and causing mayhem throwing eggs at people in cars," he said.

Councillor Toby Mallinson, who represents the Hillsborough ward, believes the local problems signify a wider issue.

"We are suffering in this country from a lack of youth services.

"Austerity has really cut back on what was once available and it leads to anti-social behaviour when youngsters are bored and don't have anything to do."

Insp Nik Dodsworth of Sheffield North West Neighbourhood Policing Team said: "Over the past few weeks, officers have acted on intelligence received and arrested three youths in connection with reports of anti-social behaviour in Hillsborough Park.

"Two Surron bikes have also been seized as we continue to combat off-road bike offences.

"We have also issued acceptable behaviour contracts (ABCs). These are voluntary written agreements which act as a warning and deterrent to those committing anti-social behaviour offences.

"The contracts usually involve a number of partner agencies, with parents and guardians of the young people also involved in the process.

"If the offender breaches the terms of their ABC, it can be used as evidence to show that further and tougher enforcement action may be required in order to curb their behaviour."

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