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No more action over gang attack | No more action over gang attack |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Four youths arrested over an alleged assault on a man who was beaten unconscious outside his home are to face no further action. | Four youths arrested over an alleged assault on a man who was beaten unconscious outside his home are to face no further action. |
Peter Matthews, 56, was treated for severe head injuries after confronting a noisy gang of young people in Pontarddulais, near Swansea. | Peter Matthews, 56, was treated for severe head injuries after confronting a noisy gang of young people in Pontarddulais, near Swansea. |
It provoked an outcry over claims of growing anti-social behaviour there. | It provoked an outcry over claims of growing anti-social behaviour there. |
Police said on Friday Mr Matthews had asked them to end their inquiry for "family and personal reasons". | Police said on Friday Mr Matthews had asked them to end their inquiry for "family and personal reasons". |
They confirmed the four people initially arrested and then bailed over the attack have been released and will face no further action. | They confirmed the four people initially arrested and then bailed over the attack have been released and will face no further action. |
Mr Matthews, a member of the local neighbourhood watch, was assaulted just after midnight on 4 August. | Mr Matthews, a member of the local neighbourhood watch, was assaulted just after midnight on 4 August. |
Late night nuisance | Late night nuisance |
His wife, Denise, said after the attack her husband had gone out with nothing on his feet and bare-chested after she was woken by a disturbance outside. | His wife, Denise, said after the attack her husband had gone out with nothing on his feet and bare-chested after she was woken by a disturbance outside. |
She said there had been several incidents in their street in the last year or so with youths damaging cars, throwing stones at windows and generally causing a late night nuisance. | She said there had been several incidents in their street in the last year or so with youths damaging cars, throwing stones at windows and generally causing a late night nuisance. |
Mrs Matthews said her husband, a technician at Swansea University, had been hit, then fell onto his back and hit his head on the road, leaving him bleeding and unconscious. | Mrs Matthews said her husband, a technician at Swansea University, had been hit, then fell onto his back and hit his head on the road, leaving him bleeding and unconscious. |
The father-of-one was taken to Morriston Hospital in Swansea where he was treated for a clot on the brain initially in intensive care. He was later allowed home. | The father-of-one was taken to Morriston Hospital in Swansea where he was treated for a clot on the brain initially in intensive care. He was later allowed home. |
After Mr Matthews' injury a public meeting attended by around 250 was held in Pontarddulais amid claims anti-social behaviour there was getting out of control. | After Mr Matthews' injury a public meeting attended by around 250 was held in Pontarddulais amid claims anti-social behaviour there was getting out of control. |
A public meeting was held about anti-social behaviour | A public meeting was held about anti-social behaviour |
Some residents claimed this case was not an isolated incident as officers had originally claimed. | Some residents claimed this case was not an isolated incident as officers had originally claimed. |
Footage also posted on the internet site YouTube showed youths stopping a cyclist, climbing buildings and pouring liquid through a letterbox in the town. | Footage also posted on the internet site YouTube showed youths stopping a cyclist, climbing buildings and pouring liquid through a letterbox in the town. |
Police in Pontarddulais say they have stopped and searched more than 100 people and made 150 visits to licence premises in a bid to clamp down on anti-social behaviour. | |
Ten people have been arrested and 41 Asbo referrals have been made. | |
Another public meeting is being held at the town's rugby club on Thursday. | |
Police say the public response to the increased patrols have been welcomed. | |
They also took the step of publishing mobile phone numbers of more than 100 officers in Swansea in a local newspaper allowing people with concerns to can contact them more easily. | |
Two local councillors also called on colleagues to listen to the young and avoid using them as "easy targets". | |
Dai Howells and Byron Lewis said only a small number of young people cause problems and better services should be provided for them. | Dai Howells and Byron Lewis said only a small number of young people cause problems and better services should be provided for them. |
Local MP Martin Caton also said a more "holistic approach" was required but also criticised parents for not exercising their responsibilities. | Local MP Martin Caton also said a more "holistic approach" was required but also criticised parents for not exercising their responsibilities. |
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