Police make arrests at violent protest in Bristol, England
BRISTOL (Reuters) – Police made arrests late on Friday in the city of Bristol in southwest England after protests turned violent with people throwing projectiles at them, the police said.
"Projectiles, including eggs and glass bottles, are being thrown at officers. Protestors are also pulling at officers’ shields while lasers are being shone in their faces," the local Avon and Somerset Police said in a tweet here.
A large number of
people remain in #Bristol.Officers
dispersing the crowd are highly trained & accredited in public
order. They have the ability to use reasonable force to prevent crime,
protect people & property.We don’t want to use force but we have
a duty to enforce the law.
“We will not tolerate violent disorder,” the local police force added.
Thousands of demonstrators had converged on the city centre, ignoring COVID-19 restrictions, to protest against a government bill going through parliament that would give police new powers to restrict street protests.