Violence erupted in Bristol at a peaceful protest after around 5,000 activists smashed through the windows of a police station and set police vehicles on fire.
Dubbed “Kill the Bill,” the supposed non-violent demonstration in the city center escalated after hundreds of protesters marched from College Green to the New Bridewell police station.
Mounted officers dispatched in an attempt to disperse the large crowd, but a group of hooded protesters managed to get up onto the roof of the first floor of the police station and rained down missiles on the police.
Six police officers have been seriously injured during the altercation.
“Disgusting scenes in Bristol by a mob of animals who are injuring police officers, members of the public and damaging property,” Avon and Somerset Police Federation chairman Andy Roebuck said.
“Avon and Somerset Police Federation are attending stations to support officers. We have officers with suspected broken arms and ribs. This is so wrong.”
Chief Superintendent Will White of Avon and Somerset Police share the sentiment and stated: “Officers have been subjected to considerable levels of abuse and violence.
One suffered a broken arm and another suffered broken ribs. Both have been taken to hospital. At least two police vehicles have been set on fire and damage has been caused to the outside of the station.”
“These scenes are absolutely disgraceful and they will be widely condemned by people across the city. There can never be any excuse for wanton disorder,” he added.
The protests come after the parliament debated and voted on Police, Crime, Sentencing, and Courts Bill.
The bill places restrictions on people’s right to protest, including setting noise and time limits on protests, no matter how many people are in attendance or whether the protest is peaceful or not.
It also includes the offense of “intentionally or recklessly causing public nuisance” which means blocking roads and bridges or employing other tactics for the disruption which can be common at protests.