A man was left in a critical but stable condition after being found unconscious with serious facial injuries on St Nicholas Street, Bristol, in the early hours of 24 April. Emergency services arrived at around 3.15am following reports of an assault, with police treating the case as a suspected homophobic hate crime.
Serious Facial Injuries
Paramedics discovered the victim on the ground, suffering significant trauma to his face. A second man involved was also assaulted but escaped with minor injuries. His account helped police consider the motive behind the attack.
Group Attack Suspected
Police believe the attackers were a group of three or four men. Witnesses reported they fled on foot before entering a waiting car. One attacker wore a blue jacket while others dressed in mostly black or grey.
Police Appeal For Witnesses
Officers are conducting CCTV enquiries and asking anyone with dashcam footage or information from the St Nicholas Street area around the incident time to come forward. Contact police on 101 with reference 5226111583 or report anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
Community Alert, but No Wider
Neighbourhood Chief Inspector Keith Smith confirmed the assault is being treated as a hate crime. Police have engaged local LGBTQ+ groups and the charity SARI (Stand Against Racism & Inequality). He reassured the public that there is no current evidence of a wider threat to the community.
