Man bashed by Thalassa hoons

Emily Charrison

05May08

POLICE patrols are being ramped up to combat burgeoning youth problems at Thalassa Park, after a man was brutally assaulted last month. 

Sturt Police have enlisted extra patrols in a bid to stop months of violence, vandalism and hoon behaviour which is plaguing the Aberfoyle Park reserve.

It comes after a 50-year-old man was struck over the head by three youths on April 19 when he ventured into the park to investigate damage which had been done to his house moments earlier.

Ambulance officers attended but he did not sustain any serious injuries.

Residents complained to the Hills and Valley Messenger last month about drunken teens vandalising play equipment, urinating on public barbecues and leaving their rubbish in the 9.5ha park every weekend.

But they are now too scared to come forward. Sturt Police Superintendent Graeme Adcock said his community programs unit recently met with Onkaparinga Council officers to assess the problems at the park.

Supt Adcock said a report was being complied to ``formulate a course of action'' and extra patrols were surveilling the park in the meantime.

``Once we know exactly what the cause is we will work with the council and local residents to solve it,'' he said.

Since the attack several residents, including the assault victim, have written to Fisher MP Bob Such (Ind) pleading for urgent action.

Dr Such said the park had a history of criminal behaviour and urged the council and police to take a tougher stance.

``It's a lovely area and the community doesn't want it spoilt by anti-social types  it's a question of zero-tolerance as far as we're concerned,'' he said.

Meantime, Onkaparinga city services manager Andrew Aitken said council staff and Southern Outreach Service youth workers inspected the park to assess its safety.

However he said no major changes were recommended but council staff would continue to monitor activities at the park.