Home Secretary has once, again labelled the protestors in Bristol as thugs after a Kill the Bill protest turned violent where activists had smashed glass windows of a police station, set a riot van on fire, and assaulted 20 officers.
Two officers were taken to hospital after suffering broken bones and in a public statement Priti Patel has said that thuggery and disorder would never be tolerated. Bristol mayor Marvin Rees, who said he had “major concerns” about the Government’s Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill also condemned the thuggery but said the disorder would be used to justify the legislation.
Police dogs were used to keep some at bay as fireworks were aimed at the crowds. Others tried to set fire to a police van’s tyres before it was extinguished by riot cops.
In a statement on Twitter Avon and Somerset mounted police called the night’s events “upsetting”. They tweeted, "After some very upsetting scenes in Bristol this evening all six horses and their riders are still on duty but safe. Thank you to everyone for your concern. It’s been a very long shift."
Home Secretary condemned the actions of the minority of protesters on Twitter. Priti Patel tweeted, “Unacceptable scenes in Bristol tonight. Thuggery and disorder by a minority will never be tolerated. Police officers put themselves in harm's way to protect us all. My thoughts this evening are with those police officers injured.” The Avon and Somerset Police had earlier requested citizens to not attend the Bristol protests.
The Police, Crime Sentencing and Courts Bill would give the police in England and Wales more power to impose conditions on non-violent protests, including those deemed too noisy or a nuisance. Those convicted under the proposed legislation could face a fine or jail.
