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Police officer describes moment the van he was driving was set on fire
Footage has been released of the moment that one rioter attempted to set a police van alight with an officer still inside the vehicle.
The officer says: “I was aware from the radio that my colleagues were under attack outside the front of Bridewell police station where damage had been caused…
“I could hear screaming and shouting from the officers as they were being attacked. A call was made for vehicles to be used to assist officers.
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“The only way to protect my colleagues was to place the vehicle across, side on, in front of them to offer protection. There were glass bottles, rocks as big as fists, pallets, fences and other objects strewn across the road and being used against the police.
“Whilst in the vehicle, a number of people attempted to gain entry to it, however, the vehicle was bolted shut.
“I was aware of the smell of burning and CCTV reported that people were attempting to set the vehicle tyres alight, with me still in it, and so I began to prepare to decamp the vehicle.”
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The protest had started off peacefully, as the day turned to evening, violence around broke out at Bridewell Police Station.
As well as cars and vans being set alight bottles, rocks and other missiles had been used by rioters against police. These were met by pepper spray and batons.
The rioting continued until the early hours of the morning, when police finally managed to disperse the crowd.
Other police vans were covered in graffiti on Sunday night – photo: Martin Booth
An ongoing investigation into the disorder, overseen by chief superintendent Carolyn Belafonte, has been named Operation Harley.
Belafonte said: “This officer’s account is just one of many we’ve gathered from our colleagues at the scene of this terrifying incident.”
Images of the man suspected of setting the van alight have been added to Avon & Somerset Police’s online gallery as part of an appeal to the public.
The online gallery has already been viewed more than 80,000 times, and police have received more than 200 calls and 280 evidential submissions.
“Our investigation is continuing at pace but it is painstaking work,” Belafonte says.
“I would ask people to look at the latest image we have released and call us if you know who it is.”
Main photo: Avon & Somerset Police
Read more: Police confirm no broken bones or punctured lung during Bristol riot
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