TWO incidents of ugly violence in Otley in recent weeks are a sad reflection of our times. The first incident, in which a resident was viciously attacked for just a paltry sum of money, was shocking enough.

A police officer commented to one of our reporters that this was so out of character for the town, that Otley was 'the kind of place you retire to'.

Now a second incident, in which a young man was threatened with a knife and chased by his attacker, desperate for cash, creates a worrying picture for us all.

Otley and its surrounding area is fortunate in that it seems blessed with a population that largely has a sense of decency and respect for law and order.

Outside of the cities of Leeds and Bradford, where such incidents are far more common, the fact that the old and young can walk the streets without fear is something to be prized.

But these latest incidents show that our community is not immune from the horrors of modern society.

The police are keeping an open mind about a link between the two attacks. And the fact that an individual is willing to maim others in his efforts to get money must bring to mind the idea that such a person possibly has a chronic drug addiction.

Recent events, such as robberies involving weapons and firearms in the area are highly likely to be have been perpetrated by criminals from outside of our area, who look on Otley and Aireborough as softer options than commercial city zones.

But, perhaps the most worrying aspect of these two recent attacks, is that they could easily have been done by a local man.

The sad fact is that even the charming picturesque town of Otley is now somewhere that can bear witness to the ugly spectacle of street violence.

But, thankfully, this is far more the exception than the norm, and let us hope that any information about these attacks is given to the police so the violence can be stopped and those responsible punishedPerhaps then the atmosphere of relative safety in the town can be preserved - as it should be.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.