Six people have been arrested in Bristol after disorder broke out during a protest.
Avon and Somerset Police said items were thrown at police officers during the rally on Saturday, when a group of protesters and counter-protesters clashed.
About 40 people from a group called Bristol Patriots gathered and marched from the Cenotaph, in St Augustine’s Parade, with the aim of travelling around Broadmead, through Castle Park and back to the Cenotaph, police said.
But when a group of about 200 counter-protesters, from the group Stand Up To Racism, attended, officers said the march came to a standstill.
Police used batons and horses to keep the groups apart, the force said.
In a statement, Avon and Somerset Police said: “Officers were required to use proportionate force to ensure the safety of all individuals involved and keeping the groups apart, this included the use of batons and horses from the mounted unit to push back crowds.
“The march made it as far as Penn Street before the two sides and police came to a further stand-still.
“To ensure a safe conclusion to the march, officers made the decision to redirect the group back through the route towards the Cenotaph, with officers continuing to keep the two groups separate.”
Aerial pictures released by police showed officers created a human wall around the smaller group, who carried Union flags, while another row of officers kept the Stand Up To Racism protesters from getting closer to the group.
More than 200 officers were in attendance and when the protest and counter-protest arrived back at the Cenotaph, at about 3.30pm, the two groups dispersed.
The six people arrested were:
- A man, aged 37, on suspicion of Section 4 of the Public Order Act 1986, causing fear or provocation of violence;
- A man, aged 60, on suspicion of assault by beating and affray
- A man, aged 39, on suspicion of obstructing / resisting a constable in execution of their duty
- A man, aged 23, on suspicion of violent disorder
- A woman aged 27, on suspicion of Section 50 of the Police Reform Act 2002, failing to provide details upon request and acting in an anti-social manner
- A woman, aged 23, was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker and obstructing / resisting a constable in execution of their duty.
Neighbourhood policing Inspector John Shaddick said: “Today’s protests in Bristol were closely planned for and actively managed by our policing teams.
“Our priority throughout was clear: to facilitate the right to peaceful protest while keeping the public, businesses, and participants safe.
“There were periods of disruption caused by a small number of individuals. Where behaviour crossed the line into disorder, officers acted proportionately and used appropriate force to quickly regain control and prevent further harm.
“A number of arrests were made for public order offences and related matters, these will now be subject to the normal investigative processes.”
