STUDENT ROBBED AT KNIFE POINT IN SINGLETON

By Angharad Jones
Deputy News Editor

A MALE student was recently threatened at knife point in Singleton Park while walking home from the university.
    The incident occurred on Wednesday 27th October during broad daylight at approximately 4pm. The victim, Gareth Owen, was walking through Singleton Park in the direction of Sketty when he spotted a sinister figure standing alone.Feeling nervous, the third year Psychology student took his earphones out as he got nearer and the attacker ran in front and confronted the victim.
    The suspect approached the victim and allegedly said “Sorry but I need money for drugs” and at this point revealed a 10 inch hunting knife from his pocket.
Following the theft of Gareth’s iPod, the attacker demanded his phone and wallet which the victim denied carrying, claiming he had only visited the university to return library books.
    The victim was also asked if he was carrying a laptop, which fortunately he was not.
Gareth told The Waterfront “I was really worried and upset and kept thinking he could possibly stab me, it was really scary”. “He kept asking me if I had my mobile phone, I said to him ‘please don’t hurt me, I want to go home, I don’t deserve this’”
    Gareth was then told by his attacker; “Ok this is what we’re going to do, you are going to give me your bag and I’m going to run off with it, you are not going to phone the police”.
    Adamant not to surrender, Gareth refused and placed his bag in front of his chest as a shield. Noticing passers-by in the distance he began to shout ‘HELP’ to draw attention, when the attacker shouted and panicked before making his escape. The attacker ran through the trees into church grounds at the junction of De La Beche Road and Gower Road.
    The suspect was a white male about 5ft 10in tall, with short facial hair on his chin and short light brown hair. He was a local man with a strong Swansea accent. Five minutes after the first attack an 82-year-old man was approached in the park by what is assumed as the same suspect. The attacker again demanded money but left empty handed.
    Gareth immediately reported the incident to the police, who he deemed “really helpful” with investigating the crime. Though the suspect is yet to be caught, the police are appealing for witnesses and searching for surrounding CCTV footage.
    Undoubtedly the incident has raised concerns to many students, third year English Literature and Classic Civilization student Holly Granger told The Waterfront, “The incident highlights the problems with safety in Singleton Park. People assume that they are safer in the daylight so it’s worrying that something like this has happened”.
Gareth urges lonely walkers to take safety precautions, saying; “Avoid walking in the evening, or find a safer route home. Try to walk with people, safety in numbers as they always say”.
    The Students’ Union has been in contact with both the police and the council regarding the incident. Welfare Officer Lance Horsey tells The Waterfront; “A sector inspector is arranging vehicle patrols to go around the park along with increasing police presence.
“Maintenance and development work is being contracted over the next few weeks to make sure there is always a good number of park people in Singleton Park at all times”.
    By putting these precautions in place the SU hope to enhance confidence in the situation and limit opportunities for similar offences in the future.
Campus police officer PC Katryna Malinowski-Evans added “I would like to reassure everyone that the chances of you become a victim of crime are low.“Violent crimes by strangers in public places are rare and account for a very small part of recorded crime. You can make yourself even less likely to be the victim of a violent crime by taking a few sensible precautions.”
    In addition to ensuring patrol officers are present in the area at all times, police are liaising with the council regarding the lighting within the park. Anyone with any further information is urged to contact police on 101.