POLICE chiefs say they are doing everything they can after a spate of knife attacks brought fear to the city.
A terrified 17-year-old said he was punched in the face and chased out of Cripplegate Park in St John's, Worcester, by youths wearing ski masks and armed with knives and an axe on Friday.
Richard Udall, St John's city and county councillor, said: "Crime and disorder and the fear of crime is a serious issue, many people are worried about going out at night and children are being kept away from play areas by parents because of the fear of crime."
READ MORE: Teen attacked and chased through park by masked youths with knives and an axe
READ MORE: Battenhall knife robbery - calls for more police
Patrols have already been stepped up in the park and new tactics are being deployed to steer young people away from a life of violence.
Two teenage boys were robbed of their phones in Battenhall Park on Tuesday, February 14 after a knife was held to their throats.
Two 15-year-old boys were arrested on suspicion of robberies and assault during Light Night on Wednesday, February 22.
As previously reported, a teenager grabbed a man by his throat before stealing his wallet in Holywell Hill in St Johns at about 8pm.
About 15 minutes later, teenagers are said to have threatened another man as he withdrew cash from an ATM on Grand Stand Road.
The pair are also believed to have stolen cash from a third man after they assaulted him in Shrub Hill Retail Park at around 9.20pm.
Want to stay up to date with all the latest news for your local area? It's easy, just sign up for our email newsletters here and all the important stories that matter to you will be delivered straight to your inbox.
And at around 9.30pm to 10pm, the teenagers are alleged to have verbally threatened a group, who were also at the retail park.
Another man was left ambushed and kicked in the stomach in St Martins Quarter on Silver Street, near Worcester city centre.
On Saturday, November 5 last year, a 26-year-old man was threatened with a knife in Cripplegate Park and cash was taken at about 10.40pm.
Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion: “As PCC, I know knives are carried in our community too often.
"Knife crime causes immense harm and its impact tears apart communities.
“To build a safer West Mercia, I am ensuring West Mercia Police has the resources it needs to robustly enforce the law and tackle knife crime when it happens on our streets.
“To target knife crime at its root and support young people who may be tempted to carry a weapon, I am funding the award-winning Steer Clear project which helps young people find a different path.
“Through my actions and investments, I am committed to playing my part to break the devastating cycle of knife crime that has gripped society.”
Chief Inspector Brian Gibbs said: “We understand the concerns that have been raised and would like to offer our assurances we are doing everything we can to target those suspected of being involved in anti-social behaviour and violent crime.
"Arrests have been made in connection with all of these incidents and our enquiries are continuing."
He said police were disrupting criminal activity with a dispersal order in place around The Foregate, giving officers extra power to break up groups of people causing a nuisance.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here