Girl hurt in 'sickening' hate crime attack by teens

A girl has been taken to hospital after being assaulted by a group of teenagers in what police are treating as a hate crime.

The girl was attacked in the Cabot Circus area of Bristol at about 19:45 GMT on Wednesday by a group of boys and girls aged between 12 and 18, according to police.

The BBC understands police are investigating a possible link with the recent "school wars" social media trend, which has encouraged violence between "rival" schools.

Neighbourhood Ch Insp Keith Smith said while it was not yet clear what prompted the "sickening" assault, the force was aware "there may have been an exchange beforehand about which schools those involved attend".

"We are keeping an open mind as to whether that is connected," he added.

It comes after parents in the city were advised by schools to check their children's phones amid the "school war" trend, in which viral posts encourage violence between schools separated into 'red' and 'blue' groups.

Schools across the city have sent letters to parents informing them of the Cabot Circus incident and reiterating any "potential risks" to safety will be responded to "promptly and appropriately".

Avon and Somerset Police said previously it was carrying out reassurance patrols around school starting and leaving hours as a "precaution" and added it was "monitoring the situation extremely closely".

The girl, in her mid-teens, was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries after the incident.

Police said she had been left "understandably distressed" by the attack, adding officers had supported her and her family.

Searches of the Philadelphia Street area, where the attack took place, have been conducted, with witness statements and CCTV footage collected.

Police described the suspects as a group of teenage boys accompanied by two girls. They were of mixed heritage and were wearing dark clothing.

"This sickening incident will understandably cause concern in our communities, and we want to reassure the public an investigation is being carried out at pace to identify those responsible," said Smith.

He added the matter was being treated with "the utmost seriousness", and the force was working with schools and Bristol City Council.

"Many parents will have noticed an increased police presence around schools over the past week and they should expect this to continue in the coming days so neighbourhood officers are on hand to speak with anyone who has concerns," he said.

Anyone with information about the identity of those involved has been asked to contact police.

Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.