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Search forStop the attacks at Arboretum Park
Wednesday, August 27, 2008, 08:15
Attack victim Chris Jordan wrote to the Evening Telegraph and expressed his dismay that the park's CCTV was broken and plans for a police office had not been fulfilled.
The 64-year-old said he was kicked and spat on in a racist attack.
It was one of six violent incidents in the park in recent months.
The Arboretum was Britain's first public park, dating back to 1840. It has undergone a £5.5m makeover with National Lottery cash.
But police are now trying to get community leaders together to stop it becoming a no-go zone. They revealed that they were working on "a partnership plan to improve security", as well as making daily patrols.
Shokat Lal, chairman of Derby's Pakistani Community Centre, said: "Racist attacks of any form, on any community, are completely unacceptable and I have in the past few weeks had some very direct conversations with the police about why there seems to be a failure in stopping these attacks and charging those involved.
"I'm aware Pakistani individuals have also been attacked, so it's not just one community attacking another."
Derby's mayor, Councillor Barbara Jackson, said: "The park is a jewel in Derby's crown and is used by so many people. These incidents are very disappointing and it is a terrible shame. I hope they are isolated incidents and I know local councillors are working with the community to address the issues."
Jangir Khan, chairman of the Friends of Arboretum Park, said: "Security should be good enough to catch these people."
Police have met councillors and representatives of the city's community safety partnership and parks department to discuss problems at the park. Chief Inspector Gary Parkin said: "While there have been incidents of assault at the park, the offenders have not come from one specific ethnic group and neither have the victims."
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