Editorial: Let's find despicable cyclist

We all have the right to be able to walk down a street and feel safe. Photo / Paul Taylor

Outraged - was the first thing to come to my mind when I heard the story of an 83-year-old woman being assaulted on our streets.

The woman was walking along the footpath outside Pie & Patty Pan Bakery, Marewa, last week, when a man on a bicycle lashed out at her.

Police said she had walked past the bakery and was at a point on the footpath just wide enough for one person.

She called out to a cyclist approaching her, asking him to give way. He ignored her request and, as he rode past, punched her on the arm, causing her to fall to the ground. The woman received extensive bruising and a back injury.

This is not good enough, we all have the right to be able to walk down a street and feel safe. To have a ratbag lash out like that is despicable and cowardly.

If that isn't bad enough, Statistics New Zealand figures show recorded crime in Hawke's Bay has risen, with violence, robbery, burglaries and thefts all increasing. Thankfully, reports of sex offences, acts to cause injury and drug-related crimes have dropped.

Our police work incredibly hard to keep our community safe and, while crime has risen, the blame for the increase can't be put solely at their feet. We must play our part to help. Hawke's Bay Area commander Inspector Tania Kura said they relied heavily on the public's help, reporting any suspicious behaviour.

In the case of the elderly woman, I think it's important we send a strong message, that this type of behaviour is not acceptable. We as a community can do this by helping police. There will be people out there who will have information that could lead police to the identification of this man. We live in a beautiful region. Let's not let a minority of ratbags sully the majority of law-abiding Hawke's Bay people.