London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Jul 04, 2025

Bristol protest: Demonstrators clash with police

Bristol protest: Demonstrators clash with police

Protesters have attacked police after thousands of people turned up to a demonstration that officers had "strongly advised" against attending.

Officers suffered broken bones and police vans were set alight as angry scenes unfolded in Bristol city centre.

Crowds had gathered for the Kill the Bill demonstration in opposition to the Police and Crime Bill.

Demonstrators scaled a police station, threw fireworks into the crowd and daubed graffiti on the walls.

Home Secretary Priti Patel described the events as "unacceptable".

"Thuggery and disorder by a minority will never be tolerated," she said. "Our police officers put themselves in harm's way to protect us all."

Avon and Somerset Police said what had started "as a peaceful protest" had been "turned by a small minority into a violent disorder".

Two police vehicles were set on fire, damage was caused to a police station, one officer suffered a broken arm and another suffered broken ribs, the force added.


A protester smashes the window of Bridewell Police Station
Protesters watch a police van burn
At the scene

By Joanna Prior, BBC News

At the beginning of the night the mood was generally lively but not aggressive.

There was broken glass across the road and some people had climbed on top of traffic lights but there was no police intervention.

The dense crowd eventually splintered, with some moving away to carry on drinking and listen to music.

The atmosphere among those who remained became more volatile.

Riot police in full protective gear formed a barricade in front of the station, but the officers didn't engage with the protesters at all.

They stood by as their shields and vans were daubed with graffiti - some of it profane and some of it hostile towards the police themselves and Home Secretary Priti Patel.

Then the atmosphere took a marked turn when the first police vehicle was set on fire. Huge plumes of black smoke rose up from Bridewell Street.

A small number of protesters jumped on to the roof of a second police van, thumping on the glass as the officers tried to reverse.

Objects were being thrown by protesters into the crowd and still the police did not move from their positions.

As well as the police vehicles set on fire, others were smashed up and their tyres let down as the crowd chanted "shame on you".

Police said perpetrators would be "identified and brought to justice".

It is not clear if any arrests have been made but a spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police said there would be "significant consequences for behaviour such as this".

Police in riot gear pushed back against the crowd of thousands in Bristol city centre
Protesters scaled the police station roof and threw fireworks into the crowd
Fireworks exploded in the middle of the demonstration

Avon and Somerset Police Federation chairman Andy Roebuck said: "This is the worst violence in Bristol for many, many years.

"It's really unprecedented violence. Between four and six or possibly more officers are seriously injured and some have broken bones.

"No-one had any indication it would erupt this way."

Bristol mayor Marvin Rees said he recognised "the frustrations" with the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill but said that "smashing buildings in our city centre, vandalising vehicles, attacking our police will do nothing to lessen the likelihood of the bill going through".

Thangam Debbonaire, shadow housing secretary and MP for Bristol West, added: "The scenes of violence and direct attack on the police in Bristol city centre will distress most people, including anyone who believes in defending the right to peaceful democratic protest."

Darren Jones, Labour MP for Bristol North West, tweeted that the scenes in the city were "completely unacceptable".

"You don't campaign for the right to peaceful protest by setting police vans on fire or graffitiing buildings," he said.




Videos on Twitter showed protesters rocking and kicking a police van while officers on horseback were pushed by the crowd.

"Officers are continuing to deal with a smaller number of protesters in Bridewell Street," a police spokesman said earlier.

"They've had projectiles thrown at them, including a firework, and have been verbally abused.

"This is unacceptable behaviour and those responsible for offences will be identified and brought to justice."

Protesters climbed on top of a police van which was later rocked by a crowd of demonstrators
Graffiti was daubed on police vehicles and fireworks thrown

Campaigners have staged a string of protests against the bill, which would give the police more powers to deal with non-violent demonstrations.

Many attendees in Bristol wore face masks and carried placards with slogans such as: "Say no to UK police state", "Freedom to protest is fundamental to democracy", and "Kill the Bill".

Avon and Somerset Police had encouraged people to stay away from the demo and attend virtual protests instead.

Mass gatherings are currently banned under coronavirus legislation and anyone breaching regulations could be fined, though some MPs have said the law should change to allow protests.

This weekend has seen a number of protests and demonstrations, with campaigners gathering in support of various causes.

The day started with thousands turning up to protest against the Police and Crime Bill despite mass gatherings being against current lockdown rules

The protest began peacefully before later turning violent

Under coronavirus legislation, people can only leave their for a small number of permitted reasons and police point out that attending a protest is not among them



Protesters clashed with police and threw fireworks into the crowd


Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
Poland Implements Border Checks Amid Growing Migration Tensions
Political Dispute Escalates Between Trump and Musk
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Amazon Reaches Milestone with Deployment of One Millionth Robot
US Senate Votes to Remove AI Regulation Moratorium from Domestic Policy Bill
Yulia Putintseva Calls for Spectator Ejection at Wimbledon Over Safety Concerns
Jury Deliberations in Diddy Trial Yield Partial Verdict in Serious Criminal Charges
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
King Charles Plans Significant Role for Prince Harry in Coronation
Two Chinese Nationals Arrested for Espionage Activities Against U.S. Navy
Amazon Reaches Major Automation Milestone with Over One Million Robots
Extreme Heat Wave Sweeps Across Europe, Hitting Record Temperatures
Meta Announces Formation of Ambitious AI Unit, Meta Superintelligence Labs
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
Trump Administration Considers Withdrawal of Funding for Hospitals Providing Gender Treatment to Minors
Texas Enacts Law Allowing Gold and Silver Transactions
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
OpenAI Secures Multimillion-Dollar AI Contracts with Pentagon, India, and Grab
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Germany Votes to Suspend Family Reunification for Asylum Seekers
Elon Musk Critiques Senate Budget Proposal Over Job Losses and Strategic Risks
Los Angeles Riots ended with Federal Investigations into Funding
Budapest Pride Parade Draws 200,000 Participants Amid Government Ban
Southern Europe Experiences Extreme Heat
Xiaomi's YU7 SUV Launch Garners Record Pre-Orders Amid Market Challenges
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's Lavish Wedding in Venice
Russia Launches Largest Air Assault on Ukraine Since Invasion
Education Secretary Announces Overhaul of Complaints System Amid Rising Parental Grievances
Massive Anti-Government Protests Erupt in Belgrade
Trump Ends Trade Talks with Canada Over Digital Services Tax
UK Government Softens Welfare Reform Plans Amid Labour Party Rebellion
Labour Faces Rebellion Over Disability Benefit Reforms Ahead of Key Vote
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Host Lavish Wedding in Venice Amid Protests
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
North Korea to Open New Beach Resort to Boost Tourism Economy
UK Labour Party Faces Internal Tensions Over Welfare Reforms
Andrew Cuomo Hints at Potential November Comeback Amid Democratic Primary Results
Curtis Sliwa Champions His Vision for New York City Amid Rising Crime Concerns
Federal Reserve Proposes Changes to Capital Rule Affecting Major Banks
EU TO HUNGARY: LET THEM PRIDE OR PREP FOR SHADE. ORBÁN TO EU: STAY IN YOUR LANE AND FIX YOUR OWN MESS.
Trump Escalates Criticism of Media Over Iran Strike Coverage
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
Big Four Accounting Firms Fined in Exam Cheating Scandal
NATO Members Agree to 5% Defense Spending Target by 2035
Australia's Star Casino Secures $195 Million Rescue Package Amid Challenges
UK to Enhance Nuclear Capabilities with Acquisition of F-35A Fighter Jets
×