Man arrested over Muswell Hill park attacks (From Haringey Independent)

Man arrested over Muswell Hill park attacks

10:35am Friday 4th February 2011 in Muswell Hill & Crouch End By Elizabeth Pears

POLICE are holding a man in custody in connection with a series of assaults against elderly men in Muswell Hill parks.

The suspect was arrested as part of the investigation into the violent attacks in Alexandra Palace Park and Queen's Wood which has left two men aged 67 and 84 in critical condition.

He is being held in a north London police station but a Met spokesman would not confirm when and where he had been arrested.

Chris Barclay, Haringey's acting borough commander, said: "I'd like to take this opportunity to remind people of some standard personal safety advice that we routinely ask people to think about and I would like the community in Haringey to have at the forefront of their minds at this time."

He added that Safer Neighbourhoods Teams and Safer Parks officers were carrying out high-visibility patrols with extra resources from neighbouring police teams.

Enquiries are ongoing and police are trying to establish a motive for the violent spree.

The first man, attacked on January 5, was in possession of £700 cash when he was found unconscious near a park bench.

None of the men were homeless, police said.