A Bristol police officer suffered a collapsed lung after being stamped on by rioters last night
CORRECTION 25/3/21: Avon and Somerset Police have since retracted their claims that their officers suffered broken bones. Two were hospitalised, but neither had any bones broken. More info here.
20 police officers were injured and two were taken to hospital with serious injuries after protests in Bristol turned violent.
Seven arrests have been made so far in connection with the riot.
The police said a “significant investigation to identify all those responsible” will commence.
The riot initially started as a peaceful protest against new government legislation that seeks to curtail the public’s right to protest.
Totally unattended Police van on fire outside #bristol station pic.twitter.com/vQw0Sk3wOk
— Alon Aviram (@AlAviram) March 21, 2021
The new bill includes setting noise limits on protests, strict start and end dates, and criminal charges for being too much of a “nuisance” – which can all come with up to ten years in prison.
READ MORE:
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- Theresa May urges Priti Patel to reconsider draconian legislation
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A small number of protestors rioted as night fell, setting fire to police vans and smashing the windows of the local police station.
The mayor of Bristol Marvin Rees has lambasted the events of last night.
“I recognise the frustrations with the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill.
“I have major concerns about the Bill myself, which is poorly thought-out and could impose disproportionate controls on free expression and the right to peaceful protest,” he said.
“It also misses as much as it includes, such as measures that could reduce violence against women and girls.
“We will raise our concerns.
“Smashing buildings in our city centre, vandalising vehicles, attacking our police will do nothing to lessen the likelihood of the Bill going through.
“On the contrary, the lawlessness on show will be used as evidence and promote the need for the Bill.”
Avon and Somerset Police chief constable Andy Marsh and police and crime commissioner Sue Mountstevens condemned the riot.
Mountstevens said: “I cannot condemn enough the scenes of violence and destructions that we witnessed yesterday and I know these feelings are felt by the majority of the city and beyond.
“20 officers were injured last night and this is unacceptable. These men and women went to work yesterday with public safety as their number one priority and still faced a level of violence that cannot be justified. Such a violent demonstration is shameful at any time, let alone during a pandemic that has seen local people make many sacrifices.
“I support the police’s tactical decision to deal with these criminal incidents retrospectively and a police investigation is now underway to gather CCTV, Body Worn Video, social media content and other photos and videos sent in by local people.
“Those who clearly acted with intent to cause damage and destruction showed reckless disregardfor the safety of local people, police officers and the general community.
“The financial cost of this to the public is also going to be substantial.”
Marsh said:“Let’s be clear, the wanton violence and destruction had nothing to do with protest – it was committed by those looking for an excuse tocommit disorder.The scenes we witnessed yesterday were shameful and I know will be condemned by the whole city.
“We’ve received messages of support from across the policing, emergency service and political landscape. No-one wants to see police officers abused or attacked in this way. These men and women put their safety on the line every day to keep the public safe, and do not deserve to be on the forefront of this abhorrent criminal behaviour.
“20 of our brave officers suffered various injuries – including two who suffered more serious injuries which needed hospital treatment. I was at a Bristol station last night and can tell you the feeling of anguish was felt by all our officers and staff at seeing colleagues injured while on the frontline.
Home Secretary Priti Patel took to Twitter to condemn the violence last night.
“Unacceptable scenes in Bristol tonight.
“Thuggery and disorder by a minority will never be tolerated,” she said.
“Our police officers put themselves in harms way to protect us all.
“My thoughts this evening are with those police officers injured.”
