News / Crime
Arrest following ‘racist and Islamophobic’ attack in Bristol park
A woman has been arrested in connection with a suspected hate crime in St George Park that left families “traumatised”.
Police say the 30-year-old is being held in custody and high-visibility patrols have been stepped up following the incident that took place at around 5pm on Saturday.
Bristol’s deputy mayor Asher Craig is among many who have condemned what has been described as a racist and Islamophobic attack on people attending a picnic, organised to celebrate the achievements of a group of Somali women.
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Police say officers were called to the park on Saturday following reports of “a number of minor assaults and public order offences”.
A 30-year-old woman was arrested on Monday on suspicion of assault and a public order offence. Enquiries into the incident are ongoing and police say they are treating it as a suspected hate crime.
https://twitter.com/CllrAsherCraig/status/1442416424409051146
Zahra Kosar, a mental health coordinator with Bristol Somali Resource Centre, said the picnic lunch was organised for families as a celebration but that everyone attending had been left “traumatised by what appeared to be a racist and Islamophobic attack”.
Speaking after the incident, Craig said: “I was shocked to hear the news about this appalling attack and I, of course, condemn it in the strongest possible terms.
“St George is an area proud of its diversity; I know local residents will be as disgusted by this news as I am. Racism and Islamophobia have no place in Bristol and this should show us how necessary it is to redouble our efforts to stamp it out.
“My thoughts are with them and their families in what must be a hugely difficult time – at least two parents told the picnic organiser that their small children were having nightmares as the result of the abuse they witnessed. I have reached out to the people who were assaulted to offer to support them in any way I can, and it was heartening to see the St George community reach out to them too.”
The deputy mayor urged anyone who witnessed the attack to come forward.
Witnesses who have not yet contacted the police are asked to call 101 and give reference number 5221223956.
Police say high visibility patrols have been stepped up following the suspected hate crime in St George Park – photo by Ellie Pipe
Main photo by Ellie Pipe
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