Residents have spoken out after another attack in a neighbourhood park.

An 18-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after an attack in Wood Farm Park near Headington.

There was not believed to be a link to a stabbing in the same park a fortnight ago.

Police went to the park at about 6.05am on Wednesday following reports of a man calling for help.

The 59-year-old victim died in the John Radcliffe Hospital after being found with a head wound and in a critical condition. 

Senior investigating officer Det Supt Craig Kirby said officers were treating it as a 'targeted attack'.

Today the park at the foot of 14-storey Foresters Tower had been cordoned off with tape by police.

Friends and family laid flowers at the scene.

A trail of yellow forensics markers marks the path from Nuffield Road to Foresters Tower.

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Officers and police vehicles could be seen at points around the park.

A blue forensics tent was still set up not far from children's play equipment. 

One local man told the Oxford Mail: “I’ve known the victim all my life. They took him to hospital and he passed away.

“It doesn’t feel safe round here at all. A few days ago I saw a white car giving kids little packages and telling them what address to take it to. It’s worse than Barton and Rose Hill. I won’t come out after dark, it’s a horrible place.

“Other people won’t tell you this because they’re scared. There’s white cars dealing drugs. I think the police are doing a lousy job and the PCSOs – the plastic police as I call them – they’re useless.

"I felt threatened and they told me not to walk through the park.”

And the owner of Alice’s Fish and Chips said: “It’s generally OK but recently we have been thinking there should be more police. I don’t know if the street camera is working but it should be checked and it should be on 24 hours a day and there should be lights round the back as well when it gets dark.”

Other people who live nearby said the area was safe.

READ ALSO: Pictures:police remain at scene of Wood Farm 'murder'

T S Turna, who runs a mini market, said: “Everyone round here is very nice, there are no problems. It’s like anywhere, there are a few families.

“I close every night at 9.30pm and on Tuesday it was quiet. The police came round and asked for my CCTV yesterday.

“I’m not worried, it’s a very good area. I’ve been here for 12 years and it’s not any problem for us.”

Another employee of the local Antique Pizza, Helvido, said the police have been patrolling the area.

He said: “The police came round yesterday and spoke to my boss and there were police around during the day yesterday. Personally I feel confident because of this. It’s not like a bad area. This is out of the ordinary. We feel like there is a good police presence.”

Susan Brown, who leads Oxford City Council, said: “I was shocked and saddened to hear this news yesterday.

“I know our local community will be concerned, particularly as this follows on from a seemingly unconnected recent incident in the same area.

“I urge anyone with any information to pass it on to the police.”

 

 

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This story was written by Miranda Norris, she joined the team in 2021 and covers news across Oxfordshire as well as news from Witney.

Get in touch with her by emailing: Miranda.Norris@newsquest.co.uk. Or find her on Twitter: @Mirandajnorris

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