Arson, vandalism and a witness to murder – all live appeals at Bristol Police this week

An arson attack on a cafe, damage to a war memorial and an appeal to find anyone who may have witnessed a murder – police in and around Bristol have had a busy week asking the public for help to solve the crimes from town.

Perhaps the most serious of the latest calls for help, witnesses and information was made this week by the team trying to track down the killers of Eddie King Muthemba Kinuthia.

The 19-year-old was stabbed to death on Grosvenor Road in St Paul’s on Friday July 21 last year in a shocking attack which devastated the community.

Read more: Swords, machetes and drugs seized during late-night disturbances on Bristol Street

Read more: Long Ashton cenotaph vandalized days before 80th anniversary of D-Day

Police are trying to identify, locate and speak to anyone who was in the area at the time – he was busy with an event at the nearby community center that night. And they released a shop CCTV image of a man they have yet to speak to. Describing him as a ‘potential witness’, Avon and Somerset Police have released an image of him, with an appeal for him – or anyone who recognizes him – to get hold of him.

“If you were there – even if you don’t think you have anything new to tell us – please come and talk to us,” said DCI Mark Almond. “We need to talk to everyone who was there, do those checks to make sure we’re not missing any information that could help get justice for Eddie.”

“A potential witness that officers wish to follow up is the man pictured above,” added a police spokesman. “He is described as in his 40s, approximately 5ft 8in tall and white with dark hair and a distinct hairline.

“Wear gray or blue jogging bottoms and gray sneakers with a lighter sole. They also wear a distinctive lighter colored jersey with a striking logo – a circle of orange or red letters containing a blue and orange/red peak shape and a small blue circle,” she added.

D-Day damage

A special commemoration event marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day was disrupted in Long Ashton this week after a temporary cenotaph was spiked with a mast and an attempt was made to set it alight.

The Peel Park event went ahead anyway, after volunteers from Bristol and North Somerset came together to make repairs and make the rest of the preparations, but police launched an investigation. The damage happened between 8pm on Tuesday this week and 8am on Wednesday.

“We fully appreciate the sensitivity surrounding this incident, particularly given the timing, and we will carry out a thorough investigation,” said PC James Coglan. “Enquiries to identify those responsible are ongoing and we encourage anyone with information to contact us.

“If you witnessed this incident or have any information that could assist our investigation, please contact us. If you can help, please call 101 and give the operator reference number 5224144301 or complete our online complaints form,” he added.

Arson attack

Police have released CCTV images of a man they want to speak to in connection with an arson attack on a Bristol city center cafe

The fire broke out at around 3.15am on the morning of Saturday, April 6, outside the Society Cafe in Farrs Lane, on the floating harbor near Pero Bridge. The fire grew bigger before it was put out by a member of the public and now, two months on, police have launched an appeal to find a man they want to speak to about what happened.

“Officers believe the man pictured has information which could assist them in their inquiries into the incident,” said a spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police. “He is white, approximately 5ft 8in tall, of medium build with a dark beard.

“He is shown wearing a dark colored sweatshirt with reflective stripes, gray sweatpants, gray Adidas trainers and a baseball cap. If you recognize the man or have any information that could assist our investigation, please call us,” he added.