Attack on Cwmavon park keeper condemned by Neath Port Talbot Council.
A PARK keeper in the Afan Valley is recovering after he was beaten up during a confrontation with a gang of teenagers.
Police investigating the assault in Cwmavon's Parc Siencyn Powell are appealing for witnesses, while the attack has been condemned by a local councillor and a senior trade union official.
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Council bosses have decided to close the park earlier than usual because of the incident.
The 38-year-old Neath Port Talbot Council worker was set on at around 2.30pm on Monday.
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A police spokesman said: "It is believed there was a group of young people in the park comprising five boys and two girls.
"Following an exchange of words between the victim and the group, one the boys approached the man and assaulted him.
"The victim later attended at Neath Port Talbot hospital where he was treated for minor cuts and bruises."
Council head of streetcare services Mike Roberts said: "Fortunately, the warden only sustained minor injuries and has returned to his duties.
"As a result of the incident Parc Siencyn Powell will be closed to the public earlier than normal. During the winter the park will now shut at 3.30pm instead of 5pm.
"Neath Port Talbot Council will not tolerate any verbal or physical attacks on our employees."
Cwmavon councillor Marian Lewis said she was disgusted.
"We have never had anything like this happen before," she added. "It's absolutely appalling and totally unacceptable.
"We will be keeping our ears to the ground to try to find out who they are."
Unison's Neath Port Talbot Council branch chairman Mark Fisher strongly condemned the attack.
"It doesn't matter whether the park keeper is a Unison member, nobody should treated like that when they are doing their jobs," he said.
"There are certain jobs within the council that carry a risk of threats and assaults. But it's a rarity in parks and gardens, and that is what makes this incident all the more serious.
"If the person involved is a Unison member we will provide him with our full support.
"Also, Neath Port Talbot Council has a zero tolerance policy and will support them in bringing cases to prosecution."
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
Comments
by Neathboy234
Thursday, December 06 2012, 12:28PM
“Hadoken868686 were these young kids muslims. With all the chapels in Cwmavon i'd think it more likely that they went to the Penuel. Call for a quick pint in the Jersey on the way home as well. lol”
by Dooyah
Thursday, December 06 2012, 9:23AM
“NEET is a government acronym for people currently "not in education, employment, or training".”
by Neathboy234
Thursday, December 06 2012, 9:22AM
“Philcwmavon you have to admit Cwmafan isn't what it use to be. Every time i drive past the co-op i despair at the number of youngsters hanging around.
BTW are u from Cwmafan or have u just moved there in the past 20 years or so, because as u know there is a massive difference.”
by Philcwmavon
Wednesday, December 05 2012, 11:50PM
“...and don't bother trying to explain what the juvenile NEETs is supposed to represent.
I feel real anger at your childishness because we can't afford curtains.”
by Philcwmavon
Wednesday, December 05 2012, 11:43PM
“234,is that the combined age of your 'humour'?”
by Neathboy234
Wednesday, December 05 2012, 8:57PM
“geoboy01 sadly these youngsters are just another part of the army of NEET''s. And if it can happen in the land of the moving curtains then it can happen anywhere”
by missbuffay
Wednesday, December 05 2012, 8:48PM
“With the proposed money savings the poor guy was probably afraid not to return to work incase the Council decided they didn't need the post! And what a fantastic idea to close the park at 3.30, when the attack happened at 2.30!”
by geoboy01
Wednesday, December 05 2012, 10:17AM
“what were a gang of young thugs doing in the park at 2.30 on a monday afternoon
surly they should either be in school/college of down at the jobcentre/work program
the councilshould arm their park staff with trunchion's!!!”