Four men fled the scene in a white van
Police stock.(Image: PAUL GILLIS / Reach PLC)
Two men were attacked with a metal pole and racially abused in a suspected hate crime in Bristol.
One of the victims has suffered serious injuries, including a fractured eye socket, a broken jaw and internal injuries.
He was taken to hospital for treatment but has since been discharged to recover at home.
The second victim was also racially abused by the gang, but did not suffer any serious physical injuries.
The attack took place in Sarah Street in the Lawrence Hill area of the city after the two victims crashed into a lamppost.
Following the single-vehicle crash, the victims were racially abused and then attacked by the gang of men.
Four men fled the scene in a white van and have been described as being:
- A white man, about 5ft 7ins tall, with blond or ginger hair and short facial hair.
- A white man, about 5ft 11ins tall, of muscular build and as having blond hair and being aged in his 40s. He had a colourful tattoo on his right arm and was wearing a white t-shirt and white or grey trousers.
- A tall white man of large build, aged in his 40s with light-coloured hair. He was wearing a polo shirt, khaki jeans and smart shoes at the time.
- A large white man, aged approximately in his 40s, with short ginger hair.
Neighbourhood Chief Inspector Serena Serjeant said: “This was a truly horrific incident which has left a young man with significant and lasting injuries.
“Not only is there a substantial physical impact, but these two men were also subjected to the most vile – and completely intolerable – racist abuse.
“We’re now working to identify the men involved and would urge anyone who has any information at all to come forward and speak to us.”
Police have carried out CCTV and house-to-house enquiries.
A 33-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of racially/religiously aggravated grievous bodily harm.
At the time of reporting, he remains in police custody.
A statement from Avon and Somerset Police said: “A 33-year-old man is in police custody after two men were racially abused and assaulted with a metal pole in the Lawrence Hill area of Bristol. The incident is being treated as a hate crime.
“One of the victims suffered serious injuries, including a fractured eye socket, a broken jaw, and internal injuries, in the attack which took place in Sarah Street at about 7.35pm on Monday 22 September.
“The two victims were initially involved in a single-vehicle collision in which their car collided with a lamppost.
“They were then racially abused and assaulted by a group of four men who left the area in a white van.
“Officers have been conducting CCTV and house-to-house enquiries in the area and earlier today arrested a man on suspicion of racially/religiously aggravated grievous bodily harm. He remains in police custody while our investigation continues.
“One of the victims sustained significant facial and internal injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment. He has since been discharged to continue his recovery at home and support is in place.
“The second victim was also racially abused by the men but fortunately did not sustain any serious injuries.
If you can help, please call 101 using reference number 5225267072 or report it through our website at https://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/report/.”