Bristol protest: Arrests made as protesters clash with police during demonstration
Six people have been arrested following chaos at a protest in Bristol.
Avon and Somerset Police said items were thrown at officers when a group of protesters and counter-protesters clashed during a rally on Saturday.
Police said about 40 people from the group called the Bristol Patriots gathered and walked from the Cenotaph at St Augustine Parade, around Broadmead, through Castle Park, with the intention of returning to the Cenotaph.
But officials said the march came to a halt when about 200 counter-protesters from the Stand Up to Racism group joined.
Police said they used batons and horses to keep the groups apart.
In a statement, Avon and Somerset Police said: “Officers were required to use proportionate force to ensure the safety of all individuals involved and to keep groups apart, which included the use of batons and horses from the mounted unit to push back crowds.
“The march reached Penn Street before either party or police stopped any further.
“To ensure the walk was completed safely, officers took the decision to direct the group back via the route to the Cenotaph, whilst continuing to keep the two groups separate.”
Aerial photographs released by police showed officers forming a wall of people around the smaller group carrying Union flags, while another row of officers blocked Stand Up to Racism protesters from approaching the group.
More than 200 police officers attended the meeting, and when the protest and counter-protest returned to the Cenotaph around 3.30pm, the two groups dispersed.
The 6 people detained are as follows:
- A 37-year-old man on suspicion of causing fear or inciting violence under Section 4 of the Public Order Act 1986;
- A 60-year-old man on suspicion of assault by beating and affray
- A 39-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of obstructing/resisting a police officer
- A 23-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of violent disorder
- A 27-year-old woman suspected of Section 50 of the Police Reform Act 2002, failing to provide detailed information on request and engaging in anti-social behaviour.
- A 23-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker and obstructing/resisting a police officer in the execution of his duty.
Neighborhood policing Inspector John Shaddick said: “Today’s protests in Bristol were closely planned and actively managed by our policing teams.
“Our priority was clear: facilitating the right to peaceful protest while keeping the public, businesses, and attendees safe.
“There were periods of disruption caused by a small number of individuals. “Where behavior became disorderly, officers acted proportionately and used appropriate force to quickly regain control and prevent further harm.
“A number of arrests have been made for public order offenses and related matters, these will now be subject to normal investigative processes.”
