Bleed control kit helps save Bristol stabbing victim
A man was left in a critical condition by an attack on Tuesday morning
Last updated 29th May 2024
Members of the public are being praised by the police after intervening in a stabbing in the centre of Bristol.
Officers from Avon and Somerset Police were called to Bond Street by Cabot Circus at around 11:30am on Tuesday to reports of an altercation between two men.
A 40-year-old man found with multiple stab wounds was taken to hospital in a critical condition, while a 37-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
In a statement released last night (28th May) investigating officer Andrew Smetham said several people got involved to help the victim.
He said: “They disarmed a man with a knife and prevented him from leaving the area before officers arrived.
“There is never any expectation on people to intervene in acts of violence and I’d like to recognise the courage it will have taken those who put themselves in harm’s way.
“Another member of the public also came to the aid of the injured man, giving him first aid, and they too deserve praise."
This morning Greatest Hits Radio can reveal that person who gave first aid used a specialist bleed control kit to do so.
Anti knife crime campaigner Leanne Reynolds works to install them on streets across the West Country and says it's vital they are widely available for exactly this reason.
She said: "If you come across someone or there's a person with a catastrophic bleed, you can get one of the kits...and then you have a card inside where you can follow the instructions and also be on the call to 999 and they'll guide you through how to use the contents to potentially stop the bleed and save that life while you're waiting for emergency services.
"We have a long waiting time for ambulances, the NHS is really stretched...
"We need that medical equipment to actually deal with the emergency while you're waiting."
Leanne said that while she would rather bleed control kits were never needed, it makes her feel "proud" to know kits she has supplied have helped save lives.
"I will continue doing this as long as it's needed and hopefully no more kits will be used, but they are there if we need them."
Separately, Avon and Somerset Police are working to install their own kits across the region, with one recently unveiled in Bristol's Castle Park.
You can see a map of where the police have installed their kits here.
Meanwhile, you can read more about Leanne's campaigning via this link.
Earlier this year figures obtained by Greatest Hits Radio via a Freedom of Information request revealed 13 people were killed on streets across Avon and Somerset by knives, in 2023.