'We must find those behind racist attack on child'

Councillor Mark Weston said the "horrible people" who shot a young girl with an air gun were "absolutely bottom of the bin"

A councillor has said the "horrible people" who shot a young girl with an air gun in a racially-motivated attack need to be brought to justice.

Police have carried out extra patrols in the area of Charlton Road in Bristol this week after the girl was hit three times by air gun pellets in an incident on 2 September.

The pellets did not cause any serious physical injury, but Avon and Somerset Police said she was "traumatised" by the attack, during which a racial comment was made, and left "frightened to leave the house".

"These are absolutely bottom of the bin, horrible people that need to be brought to justice," said Mark Weston, councillor for Henbury and Brentry.

"It's a pure racist attack and it's traumatised this nine-year-old-girl," Mr Weston added.

"It does concern me. This is isolated but that doesn't make it any less horrific. We need to find the people who did this to make sure they never do this again.

"The family want justice, that's what they're after."

Ch Insp Keith Smith said Avon and Somerset Police have seen a rise in hate crime in recent years

Ch Insp Keith Smith said two men on electric scooters rode up to the nine-year-old girl, shot her with an air gun and used racially abusive language.

"What's most upsetting is how this will stay with her into adulthood and for the rest of her life," Ch Insp Smith added.

He said Avon and Somerset Police had seen a rise in hate crime over the past five years.

"Any hate crime is treated with importance," Ch Insp Smith added.

"It's a challenge we need to face head-on.

"There's issues around trust on how the crime will be investigated, it's on us as police to listen to those voices and to try and make those changes needed."

He said there will be an increased police presence in the area and he is asking anyone with information about the perpetrators to come forward.