Campaigners renew safety plea after Brighouse subway attack

The attack comes a month after community groups were calling for improvements to the appearance of the underpass in Bradford Road but now are saying more needs to be done.

Malcolm Silkstone, speaking on behalf of the Build a Brighter Brighouse Group, said the subways have become a long standing issue.

“We have been looking to try and improve the subway for a number of months with improved lighting.

“Everyone knows that money is tight but maybe now we should be looking at installing CCTV to them after the latest attack.

“We want to send our best wishes to the victim and his family, and wish him a speedy recovery.

Coun Howard Blagbrough said a lot of vulnerable and elderly people use the subways instead of crossing the road but they need to be made safer with more lighting.

The state of the subways has also been on the Brighouse Road Safety Committee’s agenda due to more people wanting to cross on the busy roads as they do not want to use the underpasses.

Calderdale Police are wanting to speak to anyone who has information about the incident which took place at about 12.11am on Saturday in Bradford Road.

It occurred after the victim, a 49-year-old Brighouse man, was approached by around five males while walking in an underpass with his wife.

He was assaulted by one of the five and knocked to the ground.

The victim was then kicked a number of times by the group before they ran off, leaving him with facial injuries which required hospital treatment.

PC Sarah Hanson of Calderdale Police, said: “This was a serious incident in which a man has been assaulted by a number of males following a night out.

“I would like to speak to anyone who witnessed the incident or who perhaps saw five males running away from the scene shortly after the assault occurred.

“Anyone who has information is asked to contact myself at Calderdale Police on 101 referencing crime number 13150432323.