A couple who emigrated to the UK from Afghanistan two decades ago have spoken of their horror after being racially abused and assaulted by a group of teenagers in Sheffield's Hillsborough Park. The incident, which occurred on the evening of Friday 26 June, involved a gang of youths on bikes who reportedly verbally abused the couple, telling them to 'go back to your country', and physically attacked them.
Deena and Davod, both NHS employees who have requested their real names not be used, were taking an evening stroll when approximately 14 to 15 teenagers on bikes surrounded them. Davod described being hit from behind, and when he pursued one of the youths who had taken his hat, two or three others assaulted his wife, hitting her and pulling her hair. Deena, who was on the phone to her sister during the attack, recounted feeling 'confused' and 'horrified' by the aggressive behaviour. Davod also claimed one of the young men threatened him with a 'carpet cutter knife'.
South Yorkshire Police confirmed they were called at 21:22 BST on Friday 26 June to reports of a 'racially aggravated assault' in Hillsborough Park. The force stated that officers were informed a man and a woman were approached by a group of youths on bikes who made racist and abusive comments, assaulted them, and that one youth then threatened the man with a knife before the group fled.
The attack has left the couple avoiding the park and a nearby gym, expressing a desire to 'just be safe' and 'live a simple life' like other citizens. This incident comes amidst a broader increase in anti-social behaviour reported by residents and businesses in the Hillsborough area. Janine Lawson, owner of The Hillsborough Tap bar for 22 years and chair of the Hillsborough Forum community group, noted that the current wave of intimidation by masked youths on bikes is 'different from anything I've seen before' and is not a series of isolated events.
Local residents, such as Charlotte Green, have described almost daily incidents, including gangs of youths throwing rocks and smashing cars. John Watkins, manager of Hillsborough Exchange Shopping Centre, has shared CCTV footage with police of youths riding through his centre, causing disruption. Councillor Toby Mallinson, representing the Hillsborough ward, suggested that these local issues reflect a wider problem of insufficient youth services, arguing that '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 stated that officers have acted on intelligence, arresting three youths and seizing two off-road bikes in recent weeks in connection with anti-social behaviour reports.