BRISTOL: Police have arrested 17 people for a range of offences as the investigation into disorder in Bristol on Saturday night continues. A 36-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of violent disorder overnight and remains in police custody.
Of the 16 other people arrested over the weekend, two have now been charged and 13 have been released on police bail with conditions including not to enter Bristol city centre while investigations progress.
Significant planning was carried out last week to minimise the risk to the public ahead of the weekend and we will not hesitate to reenact those plans should we need to.
We recognise the impact this has had on our communities and we are working closely with our partners and stakeholders, including faith leaders, to keep them updated.
Neighbourhood officers are carrying out high-visibility reassurance patrols and these will continue over the coming weeks.
Saturday’s policing operation was a dynamic and challenging one with officers required to respond to various incidents of disorder across the city centre.
Detectives are now reviewing footage to identify those responsible for the disorder and we will provide updates on our enquiries as soon as they are available.
Deputy Chief Constable Jon Reilly said: “Officers, many of whom came in on their day off, put themselves in harm’s way and faced significant disorder and abuse on Saturday as they protected the public.
“This was an incredibly complex police operation which was put in place to allow peaceful protest to take place safely.
“Unfortunately, many people’s behaviour crossed the line into disorder and that is something we will not tolerate. The arrest of those responsible will continue over the coming days as our investigation progresses.
“We know there has been speculation online about our response to incidents outside the Mercure Hotel and I’d like to reassure people that we had officers outside until they were required to respond to disorder nearby where the risk was deemed to be greater.
“As soon as we became aware that the two groups had gathered outside, officers returned within minutes.
“We are also aware of footage on social media of an altercation between a number of men in Castle Park on Saturday. Two arrests have been made in connection with this incident. Bristol is a strong and resilient community and we’re beyond grateful for all the support we have received.”
Three men charged after Bristol disorder
Meanwhile, two men have been charged by detectives investigating the disorder in Bristol city centre on Saturday (3 August).
Adrian Croft, 45, of Holywell, Flintshire, was charged with a Section 4 public order offence and possession of a Class A drug (cocaine). Damien Williams, 39, of Stockwood Crescent, Knowle, was charged with a Section 4 public order offence. Both men have been bailed to appear at Bristol Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 5 September.
Meanwhile, a third man has also been charged in connection with the violent disorder in Bristol city centre on Saturday. Ashley Harris, 36, of Chipperfield Drive, Kingswood was charged with violent disorder and is due to appear at Bristol Magistrates’ Court this morning.
It brings the number of people charged by detectives as part of our investigation to three. Earlier, the two other men, aged 45 and 39, were charged with Section 4 public order offences on Sunday and are due in court in September.