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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Chiara Fiorillo

Hate crime probe launched after pig's head left at tower block housing Somali families

A hate crime investigation has been launched after a severed pig's head was left on public view in an alleyway.

Police were called to the incident in Barton Hill, Bristol, at 11.09am on Sunday.

The incident comes after an arson attack last month forced families living in a tower block to evacuate.

A source claims multiple Somali families live in the tower block, and that thugs responsible for the latest incident could be targeting the community as eating pork is forbidden in Islam.

Police officers found the pig's head close to the alleyway off Avonvale Road, between the junctions with Queen Ann Road and Beam Street.

Ch Insp Deepak Kenth, from Avon and Somerset Police, said: "Based on the information we have at this time, this incident is being treated as a hate crime and an investigation has been launched.

The tower block was last month targeted by an arson attack (PAUL GILLIS / Reach PLC)
Fire damage to the tower block (PAUL GILLIS / Reach PLC)

"Officers from the neighbourhood policing team are carrying out reassurance in the local community, as well as working closely with our network of partner agencies and organisations.

"We don’t yet know the precise time the head was left in the alleyway, but we believe it was sometime on Sunday morning."

He added: "A thorough review of CCTV footage from around the area is under way, as well as house-to-house and forensic-led enquiries, as part of our ongoing efforts to identify the person, or people, responsible.

"There is absolutely no place for hate, or crude attempts to cause upset or division, in our communities.

A source said there are some Somali families in the tower block and they may have been targeted (PAUL GILLIS / Reach PLC)

"We want to speak to anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious in the Avonvale Road area on Sunday morning, as well as anyone who lives in this area, who may have relevant doorbell footage, or who were driving in this area, who may have relevant dashcam footage.

"If you can help, please call us on 101 as soon as possible, and give the call handler the reference number 5222267142."

A tweet from Barton Hill Activity Club said yesterday: "Barton Hill residents woke up 2 this yesterday morning, it's a very shocking to see this kind of hate crime and racism in 2022.

"The residents in Eccleston House keep calling me asking if this is related to the fire that happened last month?"

Last month, firefighters confirmed a blaze on the top floor flat of the tower block was started deliberately.

Police arrested a man on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life, Bristol Live reported.

The fire broke out at around 6am on October 20 and at its height, ten fire crews from across the city were tasked with putting it out.

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