Two more arrests after girl attacked in city centre

Two more teenagers have been arrested after a girl was attacked in a city centre in what police are treating as a hate crime.

Avon and Somerset Police said a 12-year-old boy and a 14-year-old girl had been arrested on suspicion of affray after a girl in her mid-teens was attacked by a group on Philadelphia Street, by Cabot Circus in Bristol, at about 19:45 GMT on Wednesday.

Three other teenagers - a 14-year-old girl, a 13-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl - were arrested on Thursday. The BBC understands police are investigating a possible link to online media posts encouraging violence between school pupils.

All five teenagers have been released on bail, police said.

The first three teenagers were arrested on suspicion of various offences, including affray, racially aggravated fear of violence and grievous bodily harm with intent.

The victim was taken to hospital after the attack with non life-threatening injuries, but police said she had been left "understandably distressed" by what had happened.

Schools across the city have sent letters to parents informing them of the Cabot Circus incident and reiterating any "potential risks" to safety will be responded to "promptly and appropriately".

Anybody with information about the incident is asked to contact Avon and Somerset Police.

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