There was an attack on someone during my surgery today at the Circle Library.
During a conversation with a resident who had been to see me about an issue they wanted my help with, an incident broke out in the library between two people who were not waiting to see me.
In the course of this incident, someone was struck in the face with a foreign object and a fight broke out.
First of all, I want to apologise to those attending my surgery, the library staff, my own team and other library users who witnessed the incident who may have been distressed by it.
If you are upset and want someone to talk to then please contact the Samaritans or a similar organisation who are available for confidential help and advice.
The police attended and took a statement. Their investigation is ongoing, so if anyone has any information that could help, please contact the police on 101 and quote reference number CAD 4010.
Luckily no-one was seriously injured, but I also want to re-assure residents that my surgeries are safe places for you to attend. This is a very unusual event and the police responded very quickly. I hold my surgeries in public places for the protection of everyone, so that if anything like this happens again, there are plenty of witnesses and people available to help.
I hope residents can be assured that they should never expect anything like this to happen at one of my surgeries again.
However, if you have any concerns about attending a surgery, please get in touch with me.