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Boris Johnson has condemned the violent scenes in Bristol as “shameful” after a protest against a new police bill on Friday night sparked clashes between protesters and police.
The protest was against the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts bill, which would give police greater powers to restrict protests, and initially drew some 300 people before the crowd swelled to more than 1,000.
Avon and Somerset police said glass bottles, bricks and eggs were thrown at officers. Fireworks were also fired at their mounted division, the force claimed, with a horse smeared with paint. Ten people were arrested, three of whom had also been detained in similar demonstrations last Sunday.
“Our officers should not have to face a mob with violent intentions throwing bricks, bottles and fireworks at them causing property damage,” the prime minister tweeted.
Johnson added that “the police and the city have my full support.”
Interior Secretary Priti Patel said she was “disgusted” by the scenes and described the protesters as “thugs” who “only intended to cause trouble.”
“I have no doubt that the silent and law-abiding majority will be shocked by the actions of this criminal minority,” he said.
But the police were also criticized for their treatment of journalists reporting on the incident, including reporters for the Bristol Cable.
Daily Mirror journalist Matthew Dresch shared video footage that appeared to show police hitting him with a baton while shouting that he was from the press.
“The police attacked me at the Bristol protest even though I told them I was from the press. He was respectfully observing what was happening and did not pose any threat to any of the officers, ”he said.
The police, crime, sentencing and court bill would give the police in England and Wales more power to impose conditions on peaceful protests, including those they consider too loud or disruptive for the community. Those convicted under the laws would be liable for fines or even jail time.
Critics argue that this violates the right to free and peaceful expression.
Superintendent Mark Runacres said the force expected more protests in the coming days, and said more demonstrations were “a concern for us.”
“Starting Monday, changes in the legislation will hopefully allow us to effectively engage with the organizers of the protests, which is what we have always done before legislative changes around Covid regulations prevent them from that happens, ”he said.
Before the arrests, protesters could be seen dancing despite heavy rain and handing out flowers.
Lines of police officers and pickup trucks blocked the protesters’ Bridewell police station after it was vandalized by protesters last Sunday. About 3,000 people attended what started as a peaceful march but turned into a riot, with around 500 people marching towards the station.
Police came under fire this week when they retracted claims that two officers had suffered fractures in the riot.
Twelve people have been arrested in connection with Sunday’s incident and another 15 for a later protest Tuesday.
