GREENWICH: Attack has residents afraid for their lives
A brutal attack by a gang which left a man with a fractured skull has left residents scared for their safety.
Some are calling for a greater police presence in their area.
The 39-year-old man and a 43-year-old woman were attacked in Greenbay Road, Charlton.
According to residents, they were cornered by between eight and 15 black youths carrying concrete blocks and road signs.
The man, who has not been named, was hit on the head by a concrete block thrown by one of the youths.
Charity worker June West, who lives in Greenbay Road, claims the same gang of youths has been using her apartment block's communal gardens for the past two years.
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The 49-year-old said: "About 15 youths congregate in our communal gardens.
"We have a lot of old people living here and everyone is afraid to use the garden."
Fellow Greenbay Road resident Matthew Kelly, 53, said: "I've been threatened on a number of occasions by the youths.
"One time I went out the back door and they threw a flowerpot at my face."
Although community police officers patrol the area during the day, residents say more needs to be done.
Ms West said: "Community police work until 5pm but it's no good to us when the problem only happens at night.
"We told them this would happen and we're now scared."
After the attack, which happened at around 7.50pm on April 26, the man was taken to a hospital in central London.
His condition was described as stable.
The woman suffered minor injuries during the incident.
Sergeant Adrian Musgrave, from the Charlton Safer Neighbourhoods Team, said: "We will not accept these kind of incidents in the area and we always take complaints about youth disorder seriously.
"Additional foot patrols have been put in place to provide further reassurance to the public."
Residents can call the Charlton Safer Neighbourhoods Team on 020 8721 2734 or email charlton.snt@met.police.uk
Last summer, residents asked Greenwich Council to fit a gate to the entrance of the gardens but nothing has been done about this.
A council spokesman said: "We will consider the suggestion of providing a lockable gate to the grassed area, but this will be subject to resources being available and to full consultation with all residents."
Six teenagers have been arrested in connection with the attack and have been released on bail. They are due to return to Plumstead police station on June 26.
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