A homophobic attack in Bristol, England during the early morning hours of April 24 left an unnamed 30-year-old man unconscious and hospitalized in critical condition with serious facial injuries, according to PinkNews. Ambulance workers who arrived near 3:15 a.m. called police to the scene.
A second victim, who reportedly sustained minor injuries with no need for hospitalization, told police that homophobia may have motivated the bashing. Now, Avon and Somerset police are “treating this incident seriously” as a hate crime and working with local LGBTQ+ groups as well as the organization Stand Against Racism & Inequality while seeking more information. Police are seeking a group of three or four male adult suspects who fled on foot and departed in a car after the attack.
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One of the men may have worn a blue jacket, and two others wore predominantly black or grey, Sky News reported.
“At this stage there is no evidence to suggest a wider risk to the public, but we wish to identify the offenders as soon as possible,” Neighborhood Chief Inspector Keith Smith said, according to ITV.
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Last December, police in Bristol began investigating a series of late-night attacks that occurred between November 30 and December 5 and “may be homophobic in nature,” Sky News reported.
The victims included a man in his 30s who was treated in the hospital after sustaining a blow to the head, a man in his 40s who was hit on the head after attackers shone a light in his eyes, and two other male victims in their 20s and 40s who didn’t need medical treatment for their injuries.
All of the attacks occurred at night, making the assailants difficult to identify, though police believe one was a white person. Police treated the separate attacks as related and began examining surveillance camera footage while interviewing locals for information.
“We understand this update will be distressing for members of our community. There is no place for hate crime in our city, and we will not tolerate such behavior,” Chief Inspector John Shaddick said, adding that police subsequently stepped up the presence of horse-riding officers, dog units, and foot patrols to increase visibility, engagement, and deter further attacks.
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