A roundup of Bristol riots over the years

In response to the government’s proposed Police, Crime, Sentencing & Courts Bill, riots broke out in Bristol city centre. In what started as a peaceful Kill The Bill protest on College Green, the movement turned violent and scuffles broke out after 6 pm.

As a political city, this is not the first time we have seen riots break out on our streets – Bristol24/7 does a roundup of Bristol riots over the years:

Stokes Croft Riots – 2011

Most of us can probably remember the tense evenings on Stoke Crofts following the opening of the Tesco store on Cheltenham Road.

The anti-establishment protest targeted the Tesco Metro in attempts to keep Stokes Croft as an independent area with solely local businesses. Despite the huge opposition to the store’s opening and a prominent ‘Boycott Tesco’ campaign, Bristol’s city planners controversially granted planning permission to the supermarket.

The boycott and protests sparked conflict on Cheltenham Road, as 160 officers in riot gear, reinforcements from neighbouring forces and officers on horseback came down to the scene back in April 2011.

Planning permission for the Tesco Metro was granted despite overwhelming opposition. Credit: Martin Booth

Hartcliffe Riots – 1992

Hartcliffe saw three days of consecutive rioting in July 1992 after two people on a stolen police motorbike were killed in a collision with an unmarked police car.

The South Bristol suburb was put on the national news amidst the rioting, vandalism and arson. Following the upheaval, there was a turning point for Hartcliffe. The area, which previously had a severe lack of investment, saw more money coming in through grants and government funding.

St Pauls Riots – 1980

Many people prefer to describe the events in St Pauls as an uprising rather than riots. And forty years on, it is still an event that is considered a pivotal point for Black communities in Bristol and across the UK.

Over 140 people were arrested in the events that were sparked after police raided the Black and White Cafe on Grosvenor Road. Addressing race politics in the UK, the 1980 riots that were soon followed by the Brixton riots in 1981 paved the way for important conversations surrounding police and racism.

Burned out car in the aftermath of the St Paul’s riot, 3 April 1980. Credit: David Kirkpatrick

Park Street Riots – 1944

According to British-American writer, Bonnie Greer, Bristol played a pivotal part in the US civil rights movement.

During the Second World War, many American soldiers were posted in Bristol. Black GIs saw huge amounts of freedom in the city, where unlike many areas back in the US, they were able to freely socialise and mix with white women.

However, white soldiers attempted to reinforce the segregation, causing tensions to grow.  Over 400 black soldiers gathered in Park Street in protest, leading to a brawl with 120 Military Police.

Queen Square Riots – 1831

In a fight for democratic rights, the Queen Square riots were among the bloodiest riots that the UK has seen. Civil unrest broke out as citizens were fed up with a city where only 6,000 people had the right to vote out of a population of 104,000.

The riots lasted three days and it is thought that hundreds were killed or severely wounded.

A painting on the Queen Square Riots. Credit: Bristol museum

Bristol Bridge Riot – 1793

The Bristol Bridge riots began as a protest over tolls for Bristol Bridge, as well as proposed plans to demolish several houses to create a new access road. The riots turned violent with eleven people killed and 45 injured,  making it one of the worst England riots during the 18th century.

Pyne, James Baker; Bristol Riots: The Burning of the Toll Houses, Prince Street Bridge; Bristol Museums, Galleries & Archives; http://www.artuk.org/artworks/bristol-riots-the-burning-of-the-toll-houses-prince-street-bridge-188993

Main photo: Anya Agulova

Read more: In photos: Kill The Bill riot