12-year-old assaulted in 'hate crime' on Bristol's Quay Street
Avon and Somerset Police are treating the incident on Quay Street last Thursday afternoon
Avon and Somerset Police are appealing for witnesses after a 12-year-old boy was assaulted in Bristol in an incident we’re treating as a hate crime.
The assault happened on Quay Street in the city centre at around 4pm last Thursday (8 December).
The victim was kicked in the abdomen by another boy, causing him to fall to the floor and his turban to come off.
He sustained bruising to his knees and pain to his abdomen in the attack.
Officers attended the scene and subsequently visited the boy at home later in the evening to take a statement.
The incident is being treated as a racially or religiously aggravated assault and an investigation is underway.
Officers are liaising with the boy’s school, and we’ve offered support to him and his family.
CCTV from the area will be reviewed and anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to contact the force.
Inspector Adam Dolling said: “This is a worrying and unpleasant incident which has had a significant impact on the young victim, his family and the local community.
“We will never tolerate hate crimes and we are committed to thoroughly investigating what happened in the city centre last Thursday.
“We will continue to update the boy and his family as our inquiry progresses and ensure they have access to any support they might need.”
If you can help, you're being urged to call 101 and provide the call handler with the reference 5222294242.
You can also log-on to Avon and Somerset Police's website.