Bristol youth climate strikers hit back at claims Greta Thunberg visit won't have 'adequate safety measures'

Organisers of a Bristol youth climate strike that will be attended by Greta Thunberg have hit back at claims that the event may not be entirely safe.

Bristol Youth Strike 4 Climate has responded to a letter from Avon and Somerset Police warning parents that Friday's rally may not have adequate safety measures in place.

A response was posted by the group on social media.

In the letter, which was sent to parents on Wednesday 26 February, the local police force admitted the Youth Strike 4 Climate demonstration could bring large parts of Bristol to a standstill.

It warned parents and supervisors that "trips, slips, falls and crushing" could be seen at tomorrow's demonstration - which might see crowds reach the tens of thousands.

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Greta's visit is expected to bring Bristol to a complete standstill. Credit: PA images

The teenage climate change activist and Nobel Peace Prize nominee Greta Thunberg will give a speech on College Green at around 11am on Friday.

She'll then join a protest march through the city, which will see Park Street and a section of the centre closed.

Thousands of young people are predicted to travel to Bristol from all over the country.

Environmental coach company, Snap, is offering bus travel to those who want to see Greta - and has had interest from around 1,000 people.

The company only runs trips if it sees enough demand for spaces, in a bid to get empty coaches off UK roads.

Bristol's bus service has also issued a warning ahead of tomorrow's event.

Ian Coyle, Operations Director for Bristol at First West of England, said:

Thunberg’s visit will mark her first return to the region since setting sail from Plymouth for a United Nations summit in New York last year.