Bristol anti-immigration protesters released

Six people were arrested under new face covering laws during an anti-immigration protest in Bristol on August 8th, with police saying there were “pockets of disorder” during the demonstration.

The protest began at 10.30am in Queen’s Square before moving to Bristol Bridge and Bridewell police station, eventually finishing at the Cenotaph. Around 150 anti-immigration protesters and 300 counter-protesters attended, with approximately 300 police officers deployed.

Six of the arrests were made under new laws allowing police to create designated areas where face coverings are prohibited during protests.

Supt Karen Corrigan said officers used loudspeakers during the demonstration to make protesters aware of the new law.

via TikTok @rfergo84

She said: “This is a challenging law to carry out, especially when faced with such huge numbers of attendees, but the initial feedback from my bronze commanders is we were seeing fewer people with face coverings than we may have in previous protests.”

The other arrests were for alleged offences including assault by beating, assaulting an emergency worker, obstructing a public highway, intentionally causing harassment, alarm or distress, using threatening or abusive words or behaviour, and acting in a disorderly way, according to the BBC.

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As of 10th August, those arrested had been released under investigation.

Police say there were ‘pockets of disorder’

Police said officers intervened after protesters attempted to cross police lines during the demonstration.

Superintendent Corrigan said: “When one group tries to push through this clear boundary, officers must take proportionate actions and force to maintain the line and prevent disorder.”

The protest was attended by an estimated 150 anti-immigration protesters and 300 counter-protesters, with around 300 police officers deployed to the event.

Superintendent Corrigan said there were “pockets of disorder” during the protest.