Riot police break up peaceful protest on College Green

“Disperse or you will be treated as hostiles,” shouted a police officer soon before 2am on Wednesday morning next to Jacob’s Wells Road roundabout in Hotwells.

Riot police, who on Tuesday evening had forcibly removed protesters from College Green, were now attempting to clear the last few people from the streets.

Some people who only minutes earlier were lying on the floor close to the Three Tuns pub had been forced to run down St George’s Road, pursued by police on horseback.

It was the end to a night of protest that had started around 6pm with protesters against the Police, Crime, Sentencing & Courts Bill pitching tents and erecting a stage area on College Green.

Hundreds of police officers arrived in vans soon after 10pm, creating a ring around College Green that quickly tightened.

Several officers trampled over the flowers and candles left after the vigil in memory of Sarah Everard as they moved in to disperse the crowd.

Many of the protesters on College Green were from the traveller community and unhappy about the impact that the bill could have on them.

For the second time in 48 hours, riot police were on the streets of Bristol city centre (this time also just heading into BS8), following Sunday’s night of violence outside Bridewell police station.

Officers on foot were once again helped by police with dogs and police on horseback, while a drone buzzed and a helicopter flew overhead.

Protesters were pushed back from College Green sometimes literally as officers used their riot shields.

For a couple of hours, some 50 people remained sat down outside Triodos bank on Deanery Road.

They sang songs, shared food and laid daffodils between themselves and the line of riot police spanning the width of the road.

But soon before 1.15am, police tactics changed. Officers walked forwards and a few protesters were arrested one by one by police ‘snatch squads’, with some being dragged from the floor.

Half a dozen horses that until this moment had been behind police lines then chased protesters towards the Jacob’s Wells Road roundabout.

Protesters lying down in front of riot police on Deanery Road – photo: Martin Booth

Officers from Avon & Somerset were helped by colleagues from British Transport Police, Devon & Cornwall, Dorset, Dyfed Powys, Gloucestershire, Gwent and Wiltshire.

Fourteen people were arrested for offences including breaches of Covid-19 legislation and obstruction of a highway, with one of those detained also arrested in connection with Sunday’s riot.

Chief superintendent Claire Armes said: “Officers had engaged with protestors and asked them to disperse, but tents and a sound system were set up so it was abundantly clear they were intent on remaining at the location, in spite of legislation in place to protect public health.

“After the scenes of violence witnessed in the city at the weekend it was necessary to bring in additional resources from our neighbouring forces to ensure the protest was safely brought to a swift conclusion.

“Throughout the operation officers continued to urge protestors to move on – at no time were they contained – but there came a time when enforcement was necessary as gatherings are still not permitted.”

Armes added: “It’s disappointing that officers needed to take this action on a day we should be remembering all those who’ve lost their lives to Covid-19 over the past year.

“The communities of Bristol have made too many sacrifices and worked so hard to defeat this virus. It’s unacceptable for people to insult their efforts in this way.”

Protesters remonstrate with riot police on College Green – photo: Martin Booth

Main photo: Martin Booth

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