Seven arrests as officer with collapsed lung among 20 injured in Bristol protest

Seven people have been arrested after a police station was attacked and 20 officers were left injured during a violent ‘Kill the Bill’ protest in Bristol.

Shocking photos from the protest showed people climbing on top of police vans, throwing fireworks and starting fires in the street.

Speaking outside the station this morning, Chief Constable Andy Marsh said one officer suffered a collapsed lung after being stamped on, while another suffered broken bones.

Mass gatherings are currently banned under coronavirus legislation and anyone breaching the regulations could be fined.

Many who attended the protest on College Green were wearing face masks and carried placards, saying ‘Say no to UK police state’ and ‘Freedom to protest is fundamental to democracy’.

But what started as a peaceful demonstration on Sunday afternoon turned violent after hundreds of protesters descended on the New Bridewell police station.

Rioters smashed the windows of the glass-fronted station and also destroyed Avon and Somerset Police vehicles parked nearby, setting fire to a car and a van.

Cars parked in a multi-storey car park next to the police station were also damaged by protesters.

The force said its officers had missiles and fireworks thrown at them and used mounted officers and dogs to disperse the mob.

Home Secretary Priti Patel condemned the ‘unacceptable’ scenes and said ‘thuggery and disorder’ would never be tolerated.

Bristol mayor Marvin Rees said he had ‘major concerns’ about the Government’s Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, but he condemned the thuggery.

He said: ‘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.

‘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.

‘This is a shameful day in an incredible year for Bristol.

‘We have faced times of great confrontation particularly surrounding Black Lives Matter and the events that followed. We have had numerous protests.

‘Our police, city representatives and I have been able to point out with pride that we have faced these moments of conflict without the physical conflict that others have experienced.

‘Those who decided to turn the protest into a physical confrontation and smash our city have robbed us of this.’

Andy Roebuck, chairman of the Avon and Somerset Police Federation, said: ‘Disgusting scenes in Bristol by a mob of animals who are injuring police officers, members of the public and damaging property.

‘We have officers with suspected broken arms and ribs. This is so wrong.’

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