UK police attacked, vans torched during Bristol ‘Kill the Bill’ march
Police in the UK city of Bristol have been attacked and injured by protesters described as “a mob of animals” during a “Kill the Bill” demonstration.
A police station was attacked, officers suffered broken bones and several police vehicles and vans were set alight as people gathered for the march against government plans to increase powers for dealing with peaceful protests.
Hundreds of people marched through the city to New Bridewell police station where an angry mood descended into acts of violence and vandalism.
Some of the crowd smashed station windows and set police vehicles on fire.
The Avon and Somerset Police Federation (ASPF) said a number of officers had been injured and taken to hospital – one with a broken arm and one with broken ribs.
ASPF chairman Andy Roebuck described the attackers as “a mob of animals”.
Police officers said they suffered verbal abuse and were subjected to missile attacks.
Horseback mounted police were required to push back and disperse the crowd.
The marchers had gathered to voice their opposition to the UK government’s Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill.
Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees admitted he had some “major concerns” about the bill but was disgusted by the acts of violence that erupted outside the station.
He called it a “shameful day” for Bristol.
UK 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.”
