Horrified residents have spoken out after a gang of thugs pounced on three men in a quiet children’s park.
The group assaulted the trio in Ormiston Park, Whitfield, and attacked them so savagely that one victim was rushed to hospital by emergency services.
Though the area has been blighted by antisocial behaviour in the past, residents have been left stunned by the depravity of the gang assault.
Locals are particularly upset that the violent scenes erupted so close to two primary schools.
One local mum, who asked not to be named, said: “I know that the school has been having its windows smashed all summer but I’ve never known of anything like this to happen.
“There is a bit of social deprivation in the area, but I think this is a good area.
“The problem is that there’s nothing for kids to do round here.
“I think the local schools work hard with children to ensure things like this don’t happen.”
Another resident, who has lived in Whitfield for 40 years, insisted that the area has come on leaps and bounds.
He said: “There is still the usual idiots who hang about the park but the area is a lot better than when I was young.”
Local councillor Brian Gordon said he has been left upset at news of the attack, as he believed incidents like this were confined to the past.
He said: “Incidents like this have died down in Whitfield in recent years, so I’m upset to see this happen.
“We’re working really hard to make Whitfield better, so hopefully police can catch the culprits.
A police spokesperson confirmed the incident, which took place last week. They said: “An altercation took place just after 10pm on Friday and one of the men suffered a hand injury which required hospital treatment.
“Officers are keen to trace the youths. One of them is described as male, aged between 15 and 16 years old, approximately 5ft 9in in height and of thin build. He was wearing a burgundy Adidas hooded top and black or blue jeans.”