“I wouldn’t come here at night or if it’s getting dark – I’ll be more sensitive now”

Chrissy Stannard is a regular visitor to Greenhead Park and feels safe whenever her dog, Jack, visits.

Chrissy enjoys the wide open spaces that Huddersfield’s biggest park has to offer, but her enjoyment has taken a bit of a hit following recent news of a knife robbery and two attempted robberies, all in the space of a few days .

Chrissy had not heard of the recent murders until today, Saturday, as she tends to avoid following the news. She said Yorkshire Live: “I come to Greenhead Park at least three times a week. There’s a lot of space, it feels safe and Jack can’t take the lead.”

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She described recent knifepoint incidents as “quite worrying”, particularly for anyone who might be vulnerable or an easy target.

“I wouldn’t come here at night or if it’s getting dark,” she added. “I’ll be more sensitive now.”

On Saturday afternoon Greenhead Park was busy with children, families, couples and dog walkers and although there did not appear to be any uniformed police officers on patrol, there was a large police van parked just inside the top entrance to the park . There were no signs of any anti-social behaviour, or much litter, and no signs of any street drinkers or anything out of the ordinary.

Barry, 82, who lives near Greenhead Park, said: “I’m here every day of the week with the dog (Rosie, a lutcher) and I haven’t seen anything (regarding murder).

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“Greenhead Park is a great place. The lottery money (spent on the park) was the best thing that ever happened. I’ve lived here for 59 years and I come here every day.”

George English, 75, also walks the length of the park most afternoons. He feels “absolutely safe” whenever he visits. He says there are some “isolated” spots at the lower end of the park, but the rest of the space is open and accessible.

“I never saw anything (expletive). I pass through early afternoon and never saw anything. It’s a very pleasant ride.”

After spotting the police van, he said: “It’s that quiet here where I never see the police here.”

Seb, who was visiting from out of town, said: “It feels nice and safe and there are lots of families here. I’m surprised (by the robbery incidents) to be honest.”

On Friday, West Yorkshire Police issued a public appeal for information following a knife robbery on the afternoon of Thursday, June 20. It was reported that a man in his 20s was threatened with a knife and robbed of his mobile phone.

The suspects were described as a black male in his late 20s wearing a black tracksuit and a white male in his late teens with strawberry blonde hair wearing a faded green tracksuit. The incident took place around 1:40 p.m. The exact location in the park has not been disclosed.

On Monday, June 17, there were two robbery attempts. The first occurred at 6pm when the victim was approached by a man as he walked near the shelter off Trinity Street.

The suspect attempted to steal the victim’s backpack but then left after another member of the public intervened. Minutes later, two male victims were approached by a man as they walked past the Trinity Street gates. The man, who had been in the shelter, pulled out a knife and demanded their property.

A group of bystanders approached and intervened, causing the suspect to abandon the attempt.

Detectives are connecting the crimes and would like to speak to anyone who has seen or has footage of the suspect.

He is described as being of dual heritage, late teens to mid twenties, around 5ft 9 and of medium build.

The suspect was wearing black clothes and a bandana on his head, and had a mask covering the lower part of his face.

West Yorkshire Police said they would carry out regular patrols in the park to provide peace of mind. If anyone has information that could help the police investigation into the robbery or any other incidents at the park, they are asked to report it.

“Those living in the area around the park are also being asked to check CCTV cameras for any men matching the descriptions of the suspects,” a police spokesman said.