'We're living in fear of the Bristol hoodies'
Youngsters in Bristol who cover their faces with hoodies and bandanas should be forced to ditch the "intimidating" fashion.
That's the call by a city councillor whose nephew was stabbed this week in Easton.
Cllr Shirley Brown wants to introduce a by-law which would limit the wearing of hooded tops and bandanas. Young people she has spoken to have suggested a curfew after 6pm or a ban in public places.
As reported by the Bristol Evening Post, her 25-year-old nephew was injured at about 11.20pm on Tuesday in Armoury Square, off Stapleton Road.
He was taken to Bristol Royal Infirmary and treated for a single stab wound to the stomach.
It is believed he was attacked by a group of youths with their hoods up and bandanas over their mouths.
Now Mrs Brown, a Liberal Democrat member for Ashley ward, has started a campaign to try to stop people from wearing the garb – which as well as intimidating also disguises the wearer, making it more difficult for them to be identified by witnesses or CCTV if they are involved in wrongdoing.
She wants to investigate whether it will be possible to push for a by-law against them.
Mrs Brown said: "My nephew could have died. I could be mourning him now.
"It brought the reality of knife crime very close to home.
"I was in Stapleton Road going home after full council when I saw three young men wearing bandanas over their faces and with their hoodies up.
"I went into the late-night shop and saw my nephew in there. We had a chat, then I topped up my mobile phone and went home.
"Five minutes later I had people hammering on my door telling me my nephew had been stabbed. I ran out there to see him."
Mrs Brown's nephew, who she has asked the Bristol Evening Post not to name to protect his identity, is now at home recovering.
He did not know his attackers and could not give her any information about them except that they did not have a "black British" accent like his.
Mrs Brown said he had been sitting in his car outside a shop waiting for a friend to come out when the three youths opened the door, threatened him and attacked him for no reason.
Mrs Brown wants to discourage young people from wearing hoodies and bandanas because she feels members of the public often feel intimidated by them.
She says young people she has spoken to so far suggest a voluntary ban, perhaps a curfew such as "no hoods up after 6pm", or no hoods up in shops or public buildings.
Mrs Brown has started talking to fellow councillors about encouraging a voluntary ban and would like to investigate bringing in a by-law.
In 2006, Mrs Brown launched the Lives not Knives campaign, which involved taking a petition to Downing Street calling for an increase in the penalty for people carrying knives.
Witnesses to the stabbing should call police on 0845 456 7000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
97 Comments
View all
by Malc P, Durban
Friday, September 18 2009, 6:04AM
“Breaking News Mike Ford reveals true street address of Julraj, Gatecombe Road Hartcliffe”
by jim, Bristol
Thursday, September 17 2009, 11:22PM
“faisal
grow up you deluded moron
your racist fantasies won't get you very far.
go back to your playstation you angry fool”
by ashley, bristol
Thursday, September 17 2009, 10:04PM
“see i hate this sort of thing when people complaine about hoodie's and bandana's ect.
its just the same when a muslims wheres a cape and veil wich covers there whole body exept from eye's.
i feel discriminated by that but if i complained about it i would be classed as racist.
it makes me sick.
i feel very uncomftabal when im on a bus and i see a muslim walk on covered head to toe in black capes.
you have no right to complain about hoodies ect. when theres about 13billion muslims doing pretty much the same thing all over the world.
(are you going to complain about that ?)
thought not!!!”
by Will Iger, Lawrence Weston
Thursday, September 17 2009, 10:01PM
“Walkin round with me hands down me pants
i can see some ants
its tuff bein white in a country full of ........
we gets all da black girls
a dum de dum dum
sumfink
yeah bruv innit”
by Alexander, Bristol
Thursday, September 17 2009, 9:30PM
“Faisal, The new world order ????????????, you are welcome to my country however whether my best friend is a black girl or dull white as you so eloquently put it, is absolutely 100% none of your business just as your religious belifefs are none of mine, only I will choose who my friends are and if it is more than friendship between my black friend and I then that is again my business not yours. I have been nothing but respectful to different races and colours and religions , my wife is Brazilian, couldnt get a better mixes of black and brown than that, but when people talk about a new world order I do start to worry. Further more the right to ones opinion and speak that opinion is a fundamental backbone of Uk society. There is no right or wrong hence the word opinion....... One question I have for you Faisal is where was your original country of birth and why did you leave? and secondly what gives you the right to tell from me to you he/she is wrong , assume he / she votes for the BNP and treats the minorities badly, you have no idea who he / she is. Respect starts with how you speak to people and I could understand if from me to you's dislike towards minorities increases just by the way you have spoken to him, he was I admit rather blunt but then so have you?? Spend less time preaching the new world order and concentrate on intergrating with the people around you ,in your community and everyone will get along really well. Just a suggestion though!!!”
by faisal, bristol
Thursday, September 17 2009, 7:41PM
“thanks ed....at least there is someone who can see i speak sense...they have to accept the new world order...i am the new world order...the new world order is wonderful browns and blacks and not the dull white and greys of the other commentators.....alexander, you are welcome to have a black friend - as long as she stays that and no more lol....peace be upon you all”
by Edward Tarr, Stoke Bishop,Bristol
Thursday, September 17 2009, 7:30PM
“The comment from Dev,Bristol is very disubing he might of never heard of the new world order.”
by Edward Tarr, Stoke Bishop,Bristol
Thursday, September 17 2009, 7:26PM
“I hate this country its a police state and I don't even have the right to leave because I am only 16.”
by Edward Tarr, Stoke Bishop,Bristol
Thursday, September 17 2009, 7:23PM
“No, Doppler you are a toll.”
by Edward Tarr, Stoke Bishop,Bristol
Thursday, September 17 2009, 7:16PM
“Well said faisal much respect to you.”