Skip to content

Arrests after anti-immigration and counter protests

Scott Ellis,in Bristol city centreand
Sophie Parker,West of England
BBC A police riot van parked on a bridge, which is blocked by protesters standing behind a line of police officers. The group hold flags, including Union and St Gorge flags and the Welsh flag. BBC
Two groups were kept on opposite sides of Bristol Bridge by police during the protest

Ten people have been arrested after anti-immigration and counter protesters marched through Bristol city centre.

Demonstrations began in Queen's Square at about 10:30 BST before stopping on Bristol Bridge and outside Bridewell Police Station, and finally ending at the Cenotaph.

Avon and Somerset Police said an estimated 150 anti-immigration protesters and 300 counter protesters took part, with Supt Karen Corrigan said adding there were "pockets of disorder, especially at the Cenotaph".

Six of those arrested were suspected of concealing their identity at a protest, an offence covered by new rules which enable police to create a designated zone where face coverings are not allowed.

More from Bristol

Other alleged offences included assault by beating, assaulting an emergency worker, obstructing a public highway, intentionally causing harassment, alarm or distress, using threatening or abusive words/behaviour, and acting in a disorderly way.

The protest caused disruption in the city centre, with key routes closed to traffic and couples on their way to get married at Bristol Registry Office seen having to walk through police lines.

A group of people with banners referring to community stand outside a hotel entrance.
Counter-protestors blocked the entrances to hotels that once housed migrants

Police said some disorder occurred between officers and counter-protesters, and then between the two groups with counter-protesters attempting to breach the police lines.

"When one group tries to push through this clear boundary, officers must take proportionate actions and force to maintain the line and prevent disorder," Corrigan said.

A row of several mounted police officers stretching across a road - scaffolding and trees can be seen behind them. The horses all have their own visors over their eyes and wear a strip of blue and white across their chests. The officers riding them all have helmets with visors and high-viz on.
The mounted unit was used as part of the police operation

About 300 police officers were deployed to the protest, with Avon and Somerset Police supported by officers from 10 different forces.

Corrigan said: "I would like to thank and recognise the officers on the ground and those behind the scenes who enabled today's protest and counter-protest.

"Protest policing is challenging, dynamic and ever-changing; one action or word can take a peaceful protest closer to disorder and our officers must quickly and effectively adapt and change."

Avon and Somerset Police A drone shot above a bridge over a river in Bristol with people scattered on both sides. While all people look tiny, a number of police in high-viz can be spotted.Avon and Somerset Police
The protest stopped on Bristol Bridge before ending at the Cenotaph

She also said the force used loud speakers to inform people of the new face coverings law and gave them opportunity to remove them before taking action.

"This is a challenging law to carry out, especially when faced with such huge numbers of attendees, but the initial feedback from my bronze commanders is we were seeing fewer people with face coverings than we may have in previous protests," she added.

Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.