Two vehicles belonging to Bradley Stoke Town Council were severely damaged in a suspected arson attack in the early hours of Sunday 3rd April 2022.
Although not yet confirmed by the police, the trucks, which were parked in the car park of the Jubilee Centre, are assumed to be just two of a reported 20+ vehicles set on fire across north Bristol within hours of each other on Sunday morning.
A private vehicle parked in Sherbourne Avenue, Bradley Stoke, was also set alight in the early hours.
Elsewhere in the Stokes, two trucks belonging to Stoke Gifford Parish Council were torched in the car park at Little Stoke Park, while a further four vehicles were set alight in residential areas of Stoke Gifford.
Over in Patchway, around 15 minibuses and vans were damaged by fire in a car park within the Rolls-Royce site. These vehicles are believed to be owned by Four Towns and Vale Community Transport.
A full report covering all the incidents has been published on the Stoke Gifford Journal website: Appeal for information after multiple vehicles set on fire across north Bristol
Police appeal
The police would like to hear from anyone who finds their own vehicle has been damaged, as well as anyone with information or dashcam, CCTV or other footage which could help their enquiries.
Please call 101 and give the log number 124 of Sunday 3rd April. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers 100 percent anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their anonymous online form.
Renewed appeal for camera footage
UPDATE added 4th April 2022.
An initial review of CCTV footage from the area suggests that two people were responsible for the attacks, however the police stress that they are still keen to hear from local residents.
The investigating detective said:
“We’re still keen to hear from local residents – particularly those in the Bradley Stoke and Stoke Gifford areas – who have CCTV, door camera or dashcam footage which captured two people together between 1am and 4.40am.”
Read the full story on the Stoke Gifford Journal website: Arson investigation: Residents urged to check camera footage for “two suspicious people”
Mayor’s reaction
UPDATE added 5th April 2022.
Bradley Stoke Town Council has confirmed that two of its vehicles were “burnt out” in the incident and “will likely have to be scrapped”.
In a press release issued on 5th April 2022, the mayor of Bradley Stoke, Tom Aditya, requests Avon and Somerset police and crime commissioner, Mark Shelford, and Avon and Somerset police chief constable, Sarah Crew, to deploy a “specially dedicated police team to identify the culprits and to bring the offenders under the rule of law, and to put up corrective measures in place so that this sort of incident won’t be repeated”.
Cllr Aditya said:
“This sort of arson attack is unheard of in Bradley Stoke. It is appalling and shocking. The council has the duty of care to make sure that the taxpayer’s money is prudently taken care of and always strives to do the best for the residents of the town. It is a shame that some wrong-minded individuals are damaging our community assets and instigating mayhem in this area.”
“We, as a community, will fight together against such antisocial behaviour. Bradley Stoke has the lowest crime rate in South Gloucestershire and is one of the safest places to live. We will put all efforts to keep Bradley Stoke as a safer and stronger community neighbourhood.”
“On Sunday, in the aftermath of the attack, it was business as usual at the Jubilee Centre with netball tournaments and other games taking place, demonstrating that, Bradly Stoke is a good place to live and visit.”
CCTV footage released
UPDATE added 6th April 2022.
Since the incidents, several hours of CCTV and other footage has already been collated by police officers or handed in by members of the public.
An initial review of this footage has identified two people – believed to be teenage boys or young men – who police say they would like to talk to.
The first clip in the above video shows one of the suspects riding an e-scooter while the other, carrying a backpack, is on foot.
The second clip in the video shows the two suspects arriving at the Jubilee Centre, Savages Wood Road, Bradley Stoke.
Read the full update here on the Stoke Gifford Journal website.
