Attack victim says city is no longer safe
The victim of an unprovoked attack by a gang in the centre of Lincoln says the city's streets are no longer safe.
Four men punched the 25-year-old eight times as he walked along Mint Street.
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LIVING IN FEAR: A 25-year-old man who was attacked by four men is warning people not to walk alone at night.
The police are hunting for the attackers – and say such incidents are rare.
But the Lincoln man, who is too scared to reveal his identity, is warning people not to walk alone at night in the city.
"You can't really walk around Lincoln town centre at night on your own nowadays," he said.
"There has to be someone with you.
"It's even getting bad in the day time now.
"My advice to people is to be vigilant and stay close to your mates.
"Don't walk off on your own."
But police spokesman Dick Holmes insisted Lincoln was a safe place.
"Lincoln has a lively nightlife and we recognise that," he said.
"Whilst it is one of the safest places in the country we do still have some problems from time to time, and this is an example of it."
For more on the attack, see Monday's Echo.
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by bobby peel, somewhere outside city
Monday, October 12 2009, 4:18PM
“cctv - if you don't drink in town then why would you be bothered to see a ' monster sized police force ' why? - because it's the ' don't affect me mate ' mentality.”
by CCTV, Everywhere
Monday, October 12 2009, 3:42PM
“The police can't be everywhere when incidents happen and police and criminolgists agree the best use of police resources is not mindlessly walking the streets in the hope they might by chance avert a criminal act. At best police see criminals, at worst the would be criminal wait till the police have gone.
Most of Lincoln is covered by that evil, CCTV, so if you are involved in an incident the Police can be informed, who are probably in a central point near known trouble spots, and get there quicker. As someone who doesn't drink in town I would rather my council tax wasn't spent on some monster sized police force that walks round the whole of Lincoln at weekends just so people can have their 'Bobby on the beat', for many reasons not least of which because no one calls them Bobbys anymore than they call them Peelers.”
by President, Lincoln
Monday, October 12 2009, 2:44PM
“This story is shocking, but it's not Lincoln specifically that is becoming more violent, it's just an example of 'drunken aftermath' which is a national issue.
Lincoln has perhaps experienced more violence in the last 5-10 years, but don't forget it's population and it's demographics have seriously changed with an influx of students, new bars and an exciting nightlife. Perspective is needed -as a city grows, so does everything else. There are more benefits, but also more issues.
The police are nothing to do with this and blaming them is ridiculous.We have an excellent force and a low crime rate in the vicinity of the city. The guy who said there was no one present when he was attacked, that's what 999 is for. Not to sound like I lack compassion, but no city has police standing on every street corner 'just in case'.
I'm a female who won't feel any less safe walking the streets.”
by Martin, Lincoln
Monday, October 12 2009, 2:21PM
“Lincoln is plenty safe at night, end of.”
by emit, market place
Monday, October 12 2009, 1:45PM
“same old story - to many coppers sat in warm patrol cars parked outside takeaways and not enough on foot patrol - go on deny it !!!!!”