MAJOR new safety improvements will be implemented in Lund Park following a spate of violent attacks in recent days.

Keighley Town Council this week voted to buy a CCTV camera for one of the most dangerous areas of the park.

It was responding to news of bonfire-related attacks last week and the shocking mugging of an army veteran on his way to Keighley’s Remembrance Sunday parade.

Bradford councillors have also pledged action to clamp down on anti-social troublemakers, and an online petition has been launched for the return of full-time wardens in the town’s parks in a bid to stamp out a growing epidemic of criminal activity. Keighley MP, Kris Hopkins, has even vowed to refer the issue to the Home Secretary, such is his cause for concern.

In the latest incident, former soldier George Gill was jumped by a gang of youths as he made his way to the Remembrance Sunday service in town.

Mr Gill, 69, who lives nearby, said the teenagers had come behind him as he walked through the park alone.

He added: “I nearly fell down as they grabbed my beret and ran off laughing and joking. They also ripped the poppy from my blazer and left it on the floor.”

George Gill’s medals, awarded for service in Ulster and Cyprus during his 18-year infantry career with the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, were also missing after the disturbing incident.

Keighley police have appealed for information from anyone who saw a group of Asian youths acting suspiciously in the park around the time of the incident, or leaving afterwards.

Keighley Town Council’s watch and transport committee approved the new £6,500 camera at its meeting on Monday, to be linked to the district-wide CCTV network.

Committee chairman, Councillor Mick Westerman, said: “We felt for public safety we should immediately fund a camera. We are hoping Bradford Council and other partners will come on board and put cameras in the parks.”

In the aftermath of the Lund Park attacks, social media users reported a campaign on petitions website change.org to bring park wardens back to Keighley.

Jamie Croad, who lives in Broomhill, had been planning her own petition to make nearby Lund Park safe enough to take her children – Alfie, three, and one-year-old Joel – to.

She said: “People are becoming scared to take their children for fear of being attacked by thugs.

“I strongly believe we need to bring back full-time park rangers. The number of attacks would be significantly reduced if we had some protection.”

Keighley MP Kris Hopkins and ward councillor Khadim Hussain, last year’s Lord Mayor of Bradford, both condemned the recent Lund Park incidents.

Mr Hopkins said: “It is clear a more proactive policing approach is required. The situation must be brought swiftly under control.

“I want to know what solutions the police have in mind and I am very happy to liaise with whoever else can help – including the Home Secretary – to sort this out.”

Cllr Hussain said he would meet with his Bradford Council colleagues to devise a collective approach to avoiding a repeat of the recent “horrific” incidents.

He added: “I would appeal to the community to identify and expose the culprits. This behaviour can’t be tolerated in any society.”

Anyone with information about the Lund Park incidents should contact Bradford District CID on 101, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.

l Keighley police arrested a 15-year-old boy from Keighley on Tuesday on suspicion of robbery, in connection with the alleged incident involving Mr Gill.