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- Bristol News by HANA - Edition 3
Bristol News by HANA - Edition 3
Bristol's Melting Pot: Crime, Cold Cases and Top University Places
Louis Inglis
September 27, 2024
Bristol News by HANA - Edition 3
Bristol's Melting Pot: Crime, Cold Cases and Top University Places
A mixed bag this week. Whilst the city is still reeling from the murder of three teenagers so far in 2024, another man was stabbed to death along Stapleton Road. Bristol continues to shake the world stage in the AI and tech sector - the country’s fastest supercomputer is based at the University of Bristol, contributing to its rise to 11th place in The Times Good University Guide. Avon & Somerset Police announced they are trialling AI to investigate cold cases. Whilst the benefits of this technology to policing will be huge, it invites a certain dystopian scepticism, conjuring up insidious images of Tom Cruise in latex. There have already been issues with AI facial recognition misidentifying suspects. Are we ready to put all our trust in this technology?
Louis Inglis | Bristol Editor
Bristol Bullets
Street art, graffiti & e-scooters in Castle Park
The rundown this week
Shakawan Siddiqi, 32, has been charged with the murder of 25-year-old Kunta Ceesay, who was fatally stabbed in Bristol. Two women arrested in connection have been released, and authorities continue to support the victim's family.
Bristol Bath cycle path residents are concerned by masked youths using electric vehicles dangerously. In response, Avon & Somerset Police have increased patrols and installed CCTV along the path.
Avon & Somerset Police are testing "Soze," an AI tool that could reduce cold case investigation times from years to hours. This initiative aims to tackle unsolved cases amid police staffing shortages.
The University of Bristol has risen to 11th place in the 2025 Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide, excelling in programs like Education and Russian. The university boasts innovative research facilities, including Europe's advanced earthquake-shaking table and the UK's most powerful supercomputer.
Bristol Bears face Gloucester Rugby in the first West Country derby of the Gallagher Premiership season, with a 7:45 PM kickoff at Ashton Gate. After a win over Newcastle, Bristol looks to maintain momentum, while Gloucester aims to recover from a loss to Saracens.
This afternoon will be mostly sunny with some patchy cloud and a slight chance of showers in the north. As the evening progresses, expect clearer skies, leading to a chilly night.
Databox
In 2023, Bristol saw a rise in knife crime incidents. According to statistics, 450 knife crime incidents were reported in Bristol, reflecting a 7% increase compared to the previous year. This trend aligns with a broader national increase in knife crime across England and Wales.
In 2023/24, Bristol reported 108 incidents per 100,000 people, positioning it within the top ten UK cities for knife crime, alongside other major urban areas.
Avon and Somerset Police face a significant challenge, with more than 36% of crimes unsolved as reported in 2022. This equates to over 48,000 cases closed without identifying a suspect.
Scroll down for property news and more things to do in Bristol this weekend…
Police observing a crowd of people
Hyper-local news articles
Man charged with murder after fatal stabbing
Date: 2024-09-23 8:26:46 | Reading Time: Reading time: 1 minutes | Source: Avon & Somerset Police
In a tragic development from Bristol, Shakawan Siddiqi, 32, has been charged with the murder of 25-year-old Kunta Ceesay, who died from fatal stab wounds sustained during an attack on Stapleton Road. Forensic investigations confirmed the nature of the injuries, and Siddiqi is set to appear in Bristol Magistrates Court following his remand in custody. Meanwhile, two women arrested on suspicion of assisting the offender have since been released as the investigation continues. As authorities work diligently to provide updates, specially-trained officers support Mr. Ceesay's family during this difficult time. 💔
Masked gang of men on illegal e-scooters ‘intimidating’ locals on Bristol to Bath cycle path
Date: 2024-09-24 04:00:00 | Reading Time: Reading time: 2 minutes | Source: Bristol Post
Residents along the Bristol Bath cycle path are alarmed by a group of masked young men engaging in antisocial behavior, particularly with the use of speed-deregulated electric vehicles that intimidate other path users. Avon & Somerset Police have ramped up their presence with high-visibility patrols and plans to install CCTV along the route in response to community concerns. With incidents reported of these riders reaching speeds of 50 miles per hour, the local community is increasingly uneasy about safety as fear grows over potential serious accidents. 🛴
AI tool that can do '81 years of detective work in 30 hours' trialled by police
Date: 2024-09-24 12:06:12 | Reading Time: Reading time: 3 minutes | Source: Sky News
Avon & Somerset Police is trialling an innovative artificial intelligence tool named Soze, which has the potential to drastically reduce the time required to investigate cold cases, bringing what once took 81 years of detective work down to just 30 hours. Developed in Australia, Soze can analyze various types of evidence—including video footage, financial transactions, and social media interactions—all at once. This initiative comes at a time when the UK's largest police force faces staffing challenges in dealing with unsolved cases, highlighting the need for technological support in law enforcement. Police officials believe such advancements could significantly enhance productivity, potentially reclaiming millions of hours for urgent investigations. 🕵️♂️
Park Street with the Will’s Memorial Building dominating the skyline
Bristol climbs to 11th in The Times Good University Guide 2025
Date: 2024-09-20 11:55:04 | Reading Time: Reading time: 2 minutes | Source: University of Bristol
The University of Bristol is celebrating a notable leap in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025, rising to 11th place overall and securing high rankings in various specialized programs, including second-best for Education and Russian courses. With cutting-edge facilities like Europe's advanced earthquake-shaking table and the UK's most powerful supercomputer, Bristol is not only an academic leader but also a hub for innovative research. 🌟
Bristol Bears take on Gloucester Rugby in West Country derby
Date: 2024-09-26 15:25:20 | Reading Time: Reading time: 4 minutes | Source: Bristol Post
Get ready for an exciting Friday night as the Bristol Bears face off against Gloucester Rugby in the first West Country derby of the Gallagher Premiership season! After a solid start, with the Bears securing a win against Newcastle, Gloucester will be looking to turn the tide against their rivals following a tough loss to Saracens. With both teams eager to showcase their skills and bounce back from previous setbacks, fans can anticipate a thrilling match under the lights at Ashton Gate. Don't miss the action, set to kick off at 7:45 PM! 🏉
Latest forecast predicts sunny spells with a chance of showers
Date: 2024-09-27 10:59:04 | Reading Time: Reading time: 0 minutes | Source: BBC Weather
This afternoon promises a pleasant mix of sunshine with a bit of patchy cloud, although there's still a slight chance of a brief shower in the north. As the evening rolls in, expect lingering clouds transitioning to clearer skies, making for a largely dry and chilly night ahead. If you’re heading out, don’t forget a light jacket! Sunday will be cloudy and windy with heavy rain developing later in the day. Monday will see rain clearing but staying mostly cloudy, and Tuesday will be drier with partly cloudy skies and a chance of showers.🌤️
A redeveloped warehouse in the St Phillips’ district
Property News
Bristol rental market among most competitive in UK, says Rightmove
Date: 2024-09-24 23:02:00 | Reading Time: Reading time: 2 minutes | Source: BusinessLive
Bristol continues to be one of the busiest rental markets in the UK, with an average of 51 inquiries per property, trailing only Wrexham and Glasgow. Despite a slight easing in the rental market compared to last year, the demand remains high, with prospective tenants experiencing fierce competition. The average rent in Bristol is now £1,658 per month, reflecting a broader trend of rising rents outside the capital, which hit a record of £1,349. As the number of available homes remains significantly lower than pre-pandemic levels, the challenge of balancing supply and demand persists in many local markets. 🏡
Row ignites over Bristol City Council’s withdrawal from two major housing schemes
Date: 2024-09-24 04:00:00 | Reading Time: Reading time: 5 minutes | Source: Bristol Post
In Bristol, the Council's recent decision to withdraw from two significant housing developments has sparked heated debate among local politicians. The announcement, made by Cllr Barry Parsons, chairman of the housing delivery committee, has been labelled as undemocratic by Labour councillors, who claim it was decided without sufficient public consultation. In turn, Conservative Cllr Richard Eddy criticized Labour's historical role in the city's ongoing housing crisis, insisting that the current Green-led administration is taking essential steps to address significant issues highlighted by the Regulator for Social Housing. Amidst the tension, the future of local housing continues to hang in the balance, leaving many residents concerned about the impact on community welfare. 🏠
St Nick’s Market to open brand-new food market
Date: 2024-09-25 17:00:00 | Reading Time: 3 minutes | Source: Bristol City Council
St Nicks Market in Bristol is set to enhance its vibrant food and drinks scene with the grand opening of FoodSourceBS1, featuring three new high-quality food units. The businesses participating in this exciting venture include Red Tiger, offering Malaysian street food; Bristol Calabash, specializing in Jamaican snacks and drinks; and Ceylon & Beyond, serving Sri Lankan street food. This initiative is backed by a successful bid for £500,000 in government funding through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, a collaboration between Bristol City Council and the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority. The project aims to support local hospitality by providing opportunities for these emerging businesses. The opening promises to deliver a unique dining experience for the community, enriching the local food culture.
Bristol’s Wake The Tiger faces legal action from American firm over intellectual copyright claim
Date: 2024-09-24 16:03:00 | Reading Time: Reading time: 5 minutes | Source: Bristol Post
Bristol's popular attraction, Wake The Tiger, is facing a lawsuit from American firm Meow Wolf, claiming that it has infringed on its copyright designs. Opened in July 2022, Wake The Tiger has attracted a quarter-million visitors with its immersive art experiences, distinguishing itself as a unique addition to Bristol's cultural landscape. The venue's team strongly disputes the allegations, characterizing the legal action as an aggressive tactic by a larger corporation and expressing confidence in their originality and integrity. As the case unfolds in UK courts, Wake Tiger remains committed to showcasing the rich creative talent of Bristol. 🌟
Corn Street on an early autumn afternoon
What’s on in Bristol this weekend?
All photos are credited to Louis Inglis unless otherwise specified.
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