A SHOCKED community is calling for extra security after police launched a hunt for two men who committed a serious sexual assault on a man in his twenties. 

The attack happened in the early hours of the morning in Bullamoor Park in Northallerton. The traumatised victim managed to make his way to the nearby Friarage hospital where staff raised the alarm. 

Worried residents who live near the park say they’re seriously concerned about safety because the area is so dark and have called for street lights which are turned off from midnight to save money, to be switched back on, and for extra police patrols.

Tracy Burns of Dene Road, a cul de sac which runs straight into the park, said she knew nothing until she got up and saw the area had been cordoned off by the police.

“It really is shocking, you don’t expect this to happen on your doorstep.  But it is extremely dark round here on a night since they turned the street lights off overnight.  They really need to be turned back on, it’s not fair. 

“I have five children aged from 12 to 17 and I won’t be letting them go anywhere near the park.  We could really do with more police patrols and maybe CCTV in the park area.”

The attack comes a week after two 21 year olds were jailed for raping an 18 year old girl outside the Amadeus nightclub in the town.

“It does make you wonder what is happening in the town,” added Mrs Burns.

Neighbour Val Girgan, 61 who has lived in Dene Road for 35 years said: ”I really can’t believe it, you really do not know who is about and what they are capable of doing.  We really need the lights turning back on, it’s so dark overnight.  I won’t let my grandchildren go anywhere near the park at night, it just doesn’t seem safe.”