Bristol reacts to Kill the Bill riot

Marvin Rees
Mayor of Bristol

“The violence and damage that have emerged from today’s protests are unacceptable and have nothing to do with the real work we are doing to tackle political, economic and social inequality.

“I recognise the frustrations with the Police, Crime, Sentencing & Courts Bill. I have major concerns about the Bill myself, which is poorly thought-out and could impose disproportionate controls on free expression and the right to peaceful protest. It also misses as much as it includes, such as measures that could reduce violence against women and girls. We will raise our concerns.

“Smashing buildings in our city centre, vandalising vehicles, attacking our police will do nothing to lessen the likelihood of the Bill going through. On the contrary, the lawlessness on show will be used as evidence and promote the need for the Bill.

“This is a shameful day in an incredible year for Bristol. We have faced times of great confrontation particularly surrounding Black Lives Matter and the events that followed. We have had numerous protests. Our police, city representatives and I have been able to point out with pride that we have faced these moments of conflict without the physical conflict that others have experienced. Those who decided to turn today’s protest into a physical confrontation and smash our city have robbed us of this.

“What they have done has more to do with self gratification than it has to do with the protection and advancement of those of us from communities most likely to be marginalised and mistreated by our political and legal systems.

“For five years Bristol has built homes, fed its families, prioritised mental health, recruited black and Asian magistrates, organised work experience for our young people who are least likely to be able to get it, we have addressed poverty and introduced a whole new city approach to welcome in and support refugees and asylum seekers. That’s what matters, That is what makes difference.

“Smashing buildings, injuring police officers and burning cars will do nothing to support the children experiencing digital exclusion, or the women, men and children looking for refuge from domestic violence and abuse.

“Speaking as someone himself – and whose brothers and sisters, along with our poorest communities – would be disproportionately likely to receive injustice, today’s actions do nothing to bring us closer to justice.”

Priti Patel
Home secretary

“Unacceptable scenes in Bristol tonight. Thuggery and disorder by a minority will never be tolerated.

“Our police officers put themselves in harms way to protect us all. My thoughts this evening are with those police officers injured.”

Ch Supt Will White
Gold commander, Avon & Somerset Police

“What started out as a peaceful protest has been turned by a small minority into a violent disorder.

“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.

“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. These are men and women out there with the intention of serving and protecting the public – they should never be subjected to assaults or abuse in this way.

“At least two police vehicles have been set on fire and damage has been caused to the outside of the station. Protestors are not inside the building.

“We have requested mutual aid from neighbouring forces to bring this incident to a safe conclusion.

“All those involved in this criminal behaviour will be identified and brought to justice. There will be significant consequences for behaviour such as this.”

NB Statement published at 8.57pm on Sunday

At times, Sunday’s riot felt like a real-life Dismaland – photo: Martin Booth

Thangam Debbonaire
Bristol West MP

“This is absolutely unacceptable. The scenes of violence and direct attack on the police in Bristol city centre will distress most people including anyone who believes in defending the right to peaceful democratic protest.”

Kerry McCarthy
Bristol East MP

“I totally endorse this statement from Marvin as our city leader. Tonight will make our job as MPs opposing the Police Bill that much harder.

“And by this I’m not saying it means we can’t or won’t continue to oppose it, I mean it’s absolutely playing into Priti Patel’s narrative – totally counter-productive tactics.”

Darren Jones
Bristol North West MP

“The scenes in Bristol this evening are completely unacceptable. You don’t campaign for the right to peaceful protest by setting police vans on fire or graffitiing buildings. @ASPolice were on duty today to facilitate a peaceful protest not to deal with criminal behaviour.”

Protesters sat down on Rupert Street before violence erupted – photo: Martin Booth

Alastair Watson
Conservative Bristol mayoral candidate

“This demonstration in the city is totally unacceptable. We can all have strong feelings about issues but violent protest is an appalling abuse of our democratic system. I hope that the organisers condemn this action in the strongest possible terms.”

Caroline Gooch
Lib Dem Bristol mayoral candidate

“It started so peacefully. Look, I’m no fan of the latest draconian Police & Crime Bill, but this will only make Priti Patel double down. Violence only ever makes it worse.”

Sandy Hore-Ruthven
Green Bristol mayoral candidate

“The rioters in Bristol should be ashamed of themselves. Protest should be peaceful – the violent protesters need to take a long hard look at themselves. This is bad for democracy and bad for Bristol. This is not who we are!

“I absolutely share the concerns about the government’s efforts to curtail the right to peaceful protest – but the rioters clearly do not care about that cause.”

Samuel Williams
Conservative WECA mayoral candidate

“I urge all those involved in the ongoing protest – that no matter how important and just you feel your cause – that this has descended into mob violence. I believe in wide ranging views being aired on a variety of subjects and yet there is no justification for this behaviour.”

Dan Norris
Labour WECA mayoral candidate

“I’m so shocked by the violence in Bristol today. My thoughts are with the police officers who have been injured. This is the wrong way to campaign for the right to protest peacefully that we all hold dear. It’s awful.”

Stephen Williams
Lib Dem WECA mayoral candidate

“The government’s proposed new law is a dangerous attack on basic civil liberties and should be protested, but this is just mindless thuggery.”

Main photo: Martin Booth

Read more: Bristol burns after peaceful protest turns into violent riot