Violent protests erupted in the British city of Bristol on Sunday night that would impose new limits on protests over the proposed police and crime bill and give the police broad new powers.
Video of the scene set fire to a police vehicle and showed protesters taking charge of a graffiti-screen vehicle. One officer suffered a broken arm and the other a broken rib, officials said.
Witnesses reported that the “Kill Bill” rally drew thousands of protesters in the southwestern city.
Authorities opposed the protest with all available police forces, special services and the army. “
British Home Secretary Preeti Patel said the scenes in Bristol were unacceptable.
“Bullying and disorder by minorities will never be tolerated,” she said Said on Twitter. “Our police officers have put themselves in harm’s way to save us all. My thoughts this evening are with the injured police officers.”
The Reuters news agency reported that one of its photographers saw protesters throwing firecrackers at police officers and scaled the police building and applied spray graffiti on it. The photographer also saw police officers, some in full Wright gear, who tried to disperse protesters using sticks and ields.
Police officials said officers “threw at them, including fireworks, and verbally abused them.”
“These scenes are absolutely outrageous,” the Avon and Somerset Police Department said in a statement, announcing the force on Twitter.
The policing bill being debated in Parliament will make it easier for the authorities to set limits on demonstrations and punish opponents who refuse to comply with the rules.
Protests against the move escalated following police action at a rally in London earlier this month to protest violence against women.
Police were heavily criticized for handling the vigil in connection with the murder of a 33-year-old woman. The vigil in south London was for the Sarah Award, whose murder sparked national outrage. Officers from the Metropolitan Police, Chief London Force, clashed with some of those present.
The mayor of Bristol, Marvin Reese, said on Sunday that he recognized the “frustrations” with the police bill, but that he would “do nothing to reduce the likelihood that the bill would break the building in our city center, sabotage vehicles, attack the police.” . ”
