News / Crime
Community invited to voice concerns following racially aggravated assault
A community event on Friday will give people the chance to ask questions and share concerns, following the racially aggravated assault on a nine-year-old girl in north Bristol.
Three pellets fired from an air gun hit the young girl on September 2, causing soreness but fortunately no serious injury.
What has left the victim and her family “distressed” are the racially abusive words used during the attack, which Avon and Somerset Police are treating as a hate crime.
Police officers are patrolling the area alongside conducting door-to-door enquiries – photo: Avon and Somerset Police
“Let me be clear, there is absolutely no place for hate,” chief inspector Keith Smith said about the incident that took place on Chakeshill Drive in Brentry. “This is a truly awful incident for anyone to experience, but it is all the more shocking this has happened to a young girl.”
Other than increasing patrolling in the area, officers are also going door to door to gather details about the perpetrator, who is described as a white male, aged between 17-18 with dark blond hair and a slim face.
He was last seen wearing a distinctive blue padded coat and riding a black electric scooter with white writing.
Avon and Somerset Police believe that a second unknown offender was also involved in the incident.
Smith continued: “We recognise the strength of concern and anxiousness and fear surrounding this incident.
“We will be holding one of our regular ‘Talk to Us’ events where members of the neighbourhood policing team will be available to speak to people about any concerns they will understandably have.
“This is a deeply troubling incident targeting a child, who is clearly much younger than the offender, and we understand the impact this has, not only on her and her family who we are in contact with, but also the wider public.
“Neighbourhood officers are conducting house-to-house enquiries today and will be for the next few days reassuring residents, increasing our visibility, and progressing the investigation.
“We would also like to stress that at this time we are not aware of any other similar crimes happening, but one such incident is one too many. We would encourage anyone with useful information to come forward.”
In a Facebook post condemning the incident, MP for Bristol North West and recently appointed secretary to the prime minister, Darren Jones, called the attack “awful” and appealed to anyone with information to come forward.
The ‘Talk to Us’ event scheduled for 1pm on Friday will be held in Glencoyne Square in Southmead.
Main photo: Avon and Somerset Police
Read next:
Our newsletters emailed directly to you
