Summary

  • Man, 30, dies after St Pauls stabbing

  • It comes after an open letter is published by organisations across the city

  • Mother checks her teenage son's bags for weapons and enforces a curfew

  • Petition calls for compulsory bleed kit training in schools

  • Deputy mayor says education holds the key to solving knife crime

  • 'Pride and egos' are to blame for knife crime, says local campaigner

  • In 18 days, three teenagers died: Max Dixon, Mason Rist and Darrian Williams

  1. Press conference about St Pauls stabbing under waypublished at 15:53 Greenwich Mean Time 6 March
    Breaking

    We'll bring you the latest news from it shortly.

    Press conference in St Pauls
  2. Forensic team search nearby drains for evidencepublished at 15:43 Greenwich Mean Time 6 March

    A forensic team from Avon and Somerset Police have been seen combing through nearby drains on Ashley Road, presumably in a search for discarded weapons or other evidence.

    A forensic team in white sanitation suits using tools to dig through drains on the street nearby to the scene
  3. 'Knives are for cutting bread'published at 15:35 Greenwich Mean Time 6 March

    We'll be back with any news from St Pauls shortly. But, turning back to our wider coverage of knife crime in Bristol.

    The grandmother of a teenager who was fatally stabbed says there should be tougher punishments for people caught carrying knives.

    Fifteen-year-old Mason was fatally stabbed close to his doorstep, on his way to get a pizza.

    Gail Iles said that people who carry knives are "cowards".

    Media caption,

    Mason Rist: Murdered teen's grandma calls for tougher punishments for carrying knives

  4. 'Cordon is massive'published at 14:37 Greenwich Mean Time 6 March

    Dickon Hooper
    BBC West

    Cordon in place in St Pauls

    BBC Points West reporter Dickon Hooper is at the scene, and said:

    "There has been a lot of police here, officers, PCSOs. Some people we think might have been detectives, and a solitary forensic officer who has been photographing this scene inch by inch.

    "The cordon is what is interesting, it is massive. It stretches several hundreds metres and residents have been trying to get in and out of their homes all morning."

  5. Police statement on fatal stabbingpublished at 14:17 Greenwich Mean Time 6 March

    Supt Mark RunacresImage source, PA Media

    Bristol Commander Supt Mark Runacres said: “Despite the best efforts of medical professionals at the hospital, a 30-year-old man has tragically died.

    “Our heartfelt condolences and thoughts are with the man’s loved ones at this time, who have been notified of his death. Specially-trained family liaison officers will be supporting them.

    “This is the third murder investigation launched in east Bristol in the past two months and the third murder in this part of St Pauls in less than a year.

    “We do believe there is no wider risk to the public as a result of this incident, however we recognise the concern recent events are causing and the negative light this is shining on our city.

    “We are aware of today’s launch of a joint media campaign on this issue and will not shy away from taking every necessary step to prevent serious violence.

    “For this very reason we launched a proactive operation three weeks ago which will see a dedicated team of police officers and staff carry out a wide range of activities and tactics.

    “The impact and trauma the community is feeling is not underestimated and we are working very closely with our partners to make sure appropriate support is available.

    “The community can expect to see an increased police presence in the area over the coming days while forensic searches, CCTV trawls and witness statements are taken.

    “Extra high-visibility patrols will be carried out in the area over the coming days and if you have any concerns then please do approach an officer.”

  6. St Pauls stab victim was in 'altercation'published at 14:12 Greenwich Mean Time 6 March

    Police have said the man who was fatally stabbed in St Pauls sustained "life-threatening" injuries after an "altercation".

    Officers were called at about 20:30 GMT on Tuesday.

    The 30-year-old was taken to Bristol Royal Infirmary after the incident near the junction of Ashley Road and Grosvenor Road.

  7. Murder investigation launched after man diespublished at 14:01 Greenwich Mean Time 6 March
    Breaking

    Avon and Somerset Police have provided an update on the St Pauls incident.

    A 30-year-old man has died after being stabbed last night.

    The force has confirmed a murder investigation has been launched and it has arrested a 43-year-old man on suspicion of murder. He remains in police custody.

    A cordon in Grosvenor Road and Ashley Road, where the incident is believed to have happened, is still in place.

    police cordon in St Pauls
  8. Knife Crime in Bristol: A recappublished at 13:46 Greenwich Mean Time 6 March

    An aerial picture of Bristol, pointing towards Cabot towerImage source, Ben Birchall/ PA

    We've had lots of interesting guests on today that have shared their personal views and experiences on knife crime in Bristol.

    Police have also now confirmed a serious incident in St Pauls, which took place last night.

    Here are the main topics we've touched upon so far:

    • A number of media organisations and news outlets have signed an open letter addressed to the city, rallying for action from the community to put a stop to knife crime
    • Joe Sims hosted a discussion panel on his breakfast show this morning, where we heard from local parents and children about their personal experiences with knife crime and how fear can impact mental health
    • On John Darvall's mid-morning show, we received several calls in from local campaigners alongside Bristol council's deputy mayor, who advocate for early intervention and compulsory bleed kit training in schools
    • Two local mothers also called in, expressing concern that their teenage sons could get caught up in violence. They suggested more proactive intervention from parents - such as checking bags and having frank conversations around knife crime - could prevent children finding themselves in dangerous situations.

    Keep following the live page to hear more updates, and be sure to catch the knife crime special at 6.30pm on BBC One Points West.

  9. Police cordon in place after suspected attackpublished at 13:03 Greenwich Mean Time 6 March

    A police cordon has secured off an area in St Pauls after what is suspected to be another stabbing.

    Residents are likely to see a heavier police presence in the area over the coming days as an investigation into the incident is launched.

    A police woman in her uniform standing in the middle of the road where a police cordon is in place
    The side of an ambulance on the road where a police cordon has sectioned off a large area of the road
    A person in a forensic white suit taking a photograph inside the police cordon
  10. Overnight incident in St Pauls, Bristolpublished at 12:48 Greenwich Mean Time 6 March
    Breaking

    Forensics at scene of incident

    Avon and Somerset Police are currently at the scene of a serious incident which happened in the St Paul's area of Bristol overnight.

    Officers were called to the scene at about 20:30 GMT on Tuesday after a man was found with significant injuries.

    Another man was arrested and remains in police custody while the investigation continues.

    Both individuals involved in the incident are adults.

    Cordons remain in place in Ashley Road and Grosvenor Road to preserve the scene.

  11. 'Don't put your family through what my son did'published at 11:59 Greenwich Mean Time 6 March

    Donna, 43, called the police when her son Joshua Delbono returned to his home in Frome after stabbing a 16-year-old during a fight in Radstock, Somerset, in July 2022.

    She said the attack "changed so many lives forever" and wants other parents to "seriously" check their children's bags for weapons.

  12. Petition calls for compulsory bleed kit training in schoolspublished at 11:37 Greenwich Mean Time 6 March

    We've heard from a few guests with John Darvall on BBC Radio Bristol that education is the key to preventing knife crime but what exactly does this mean?

    Carly Kingdon, is a welfare officer at Park Knowle Football Club, where Max Dixon was a player.

    She says the club launched a petition, external after his death to make bleed kit training compulsory in schools.

    They want to equip young people with the tools and knowledge necessary to safe a life in an emergency.

    What's inside a bleed kit and how do you use them?

    Bleed kits are designed to prevent blood loss in the event of a traumatic injury.

    The kit contains clear instructions with a colour coded diagram, a tourniquet, trauma dressings a foil blanket and gloves.

    A red emergency bleed kit to stop blood loss
  13. Check Your Children campaign - how Owen's death launched new campaignpublished at 11:18 Greenwich Mean Time 6 March

    The problem of knife crime is not just restricted to Bristol, but has been happening all over the country.

    In Swindon, Owen Dunn was stabbed and suffered "catastrophic" injuries a year ago.

    Natasha Gell from Wiltshire Police has been talking to BBC Radio Wiltshire about the new Check Your Children campaign.

    Media caption,

    Natasha talks about the new Check Your Children campaign, following the loss of Owen Dunn

  14. "Check your kids' bags", says mother of teenage boypublished at 11:06 Greenwich Mean Time 6 March

    John Darvall sitting at his Radio Bristol desk

    On BBC Radio Bristol this morning, John Darvall has been speaking to mother and Patchway resident, Izzy Helliker.

    Izzy is a mother to a 15-year-old son, and says a recent stabbing incident in Little Stoke Park where her son plays football, shocked her into action.

    She says she now regularly checks her teenage son's bags for weapons and enforces a curfew.

    "As a parent, I wouldn’t be doing my responsibility if I didn’t check," she said.

    "You know what knives you've got in your kitchen, you know if they're missing, and you've got to think they're up to no good."

  15. Open letter to Bristol demands an end to knife crimepublished at 10:42 Greenwich Mean Time 6 March

    An end to the "scourge of knife crime" has been demanded in an open letter to Bristol.

    News outlets and other organisations in the city, including Bristol Live and Bristol 24/7, have signed the document calling for action.

    They plan to raise awareness, get knives off the street, and to hold people in power to account for the fatal attacks on young people.

    It states knife crime has been worsened by cuts to vital youth services.

    Image of the open letter to Bristol
  16. Deputy mayor says education holds the key to solving knife crimepublished at 10:34 Greenwich Mean Time 6 March

    John Darvall's mid-morning show on BBC Radio Bristol has been continuing the discussion around knife crime and asking listeners for their opinions.

    First up on the line is Deputy Mayor for Bristol City Council, Asher Craig, who's been discussing what can be done to tackle knife crime.

    She believes one of the key solutions for reducing knife crime in the city is investing in education and youth services, to "ensure no child is left behind".

    “I want to make it fundamentally clear that one of our key areas of focus is around education and the vital role that schools can play.

    "They have been really central to our solution. We need to rally behind school leaders too and give them support, because keeping these kids in school is essential."

    Cllr Asher Craig standing in front of a green space
  17. Knife Angel sculpture 'creating conversations' in communitiespublished at 10:17 Greenwich Mean Time 6 March

    Knife angel sculpture with loads of old knives binded together with the blue sky in the background
    Image caption,

    The Knife Angel will visit Taunton and Weston-super-Mare in April and Bristol later in 2024

    The sculptor of the Knife Angel statue believes it is 'making a real impact' in towns and cities as it tours the country.

    The statue made from 100,000 blades seized by police, will visit Taunton and Weston-super-Mare next month and will be in Bristol later in 2024.

    The 27ft (8m) statue was created to remind people of the dangers of knife crime.

    Alfie Bradley told BBC Radio Somerset: "The sculpture has been to 42 places across the UK and is giving a really powerful message.

    "The home office allowed us to have the weapons, it’s terrifying how many weapons there are out there.

    "All ages seem to talk about the sculpture and it's creating conversations about knife crime."

  18. 'Pride and egos' are to blame for knife crimepublished at 09:59 Greenwich Mean Time 6 March

    Shelim Ali standing in the Radio Bristol studio wearing a black hoodie

    Shelim Ali recently launched a free self-defence seminar in Bristol called ‘Knives down Guards up'.

    He believes “pride and egos” are to blame for violent altercations involving a weapon.

    Mr Ali was part of a panel of local people who appeared on the Joe Sims' breakfast show this morning.

    They've been discussing the roles of pride and peer pressure in knife crime.

    “When a young kid pulls out a blade, he’s petrified," he said.

    "But now because he’s got the peer pressure, he has to use it.

    "He doesn’t want to but he’ll get mocked if he doesn’t follow through with it. That’s what these kids are up against.

    “They could be good kids with a good upbringing, but all it takes is that one moment that could turn them around to avenging their friends and being aggressive and causing trouble- the opposite to what they really want.”

  19. BBC Radio Bristol panel call for more community supportpublished at 09:34 Greenwich Mean Time 6 March

    Joe Sims' breakfast show on BBC Radio Bristol have been hosting a panel of local people to discuss the issues behind knife crime:

    Scott from Bishopsworth explained how his 18-year-old son was falsely accused in the non-fatal stabbing of a Deliveroo driver, police searched his room and confiscated a sentimental family fishing knife, which was later destroyed by police.

    His son was cleared of all charges, but Scott says the three month long investigation took a severe toll on his mental health.

    He's now advocating for a support group for people affected by knife crime, and a place for parents to go who are worried about their children being caught up in this type of violence.

    “They have places for people to go who struggle with alcohol or cocaine addiction and need support, but there’s nowhere for people to go who are afraid,” he said.

    A close up image of the Radio Bristol microphone in the studio, through the window you can see the panel discussing
  20. 'Annihilation anxiety' driving knife crime, says stabbing victimpublished at 09:14 Greenwich Mean Time 6 March

    Dayton Powell

    What can be done to help people who carry knives on the streets?

    One victim of knife crime has been trying to make a difference. Dayton Powell, 42, was stabbed in the stomach as a teenager.

    He has curated a therapy programme at Empire Fighting Chance boxing gym in Bristol, to help teenagers overcome anxieties associated with knife crime.

    He believes young people are carrying weapons due to "annihilation anxiety" and the fear of imminent threat.

    "The only way they know how to protect themselves is to fight fire with fire."