Residents in fear is not acceptable, says chief

AVON and Somerset's chief constable has said people are too scared to go about their daily lives for fear of being racially attacked in the street.

- STAFF REPORTER

Sarah Crew made the stark comment on Wednesday night as local leaders issued a highly unusual joint statement in the wake of a number of hate crimes and rising far-right rhetoric.

Recent incidents have included a nine-year-old girl in Brentry being shot with an airgun by a man who shouted racist abuse and a mosque in Taunton having its windows smashed.

The joint statement signed by local council leaders also pointed to the growing number of flags being hoisted across Bristol, saying "we cannot ignore that a small minority seek to divide us, sometimes misusing national flags or symbols to intimidate or exclude".

They added: "Large-scale marches, where some groups or individuals use certain rhetoric or language create an unwelcoming environment, and are

LEADERS' STATEMENT

emboldening other people to commit verbal and physical attacks on people.