Bristol protest: 'Multiple arrests' by police as protesters clash at far-right rally
Protesters clash in Bristol city centre as far-right rally gets underway
Police have made "multiple arrests" in Bristol after protesters clashed over a far-right rally in Castle Park on Saturday 3 August.
Many were counter-protesters, reacting against what's believed to be an "enough is enough" or "stop the boats" demonstration, which started at 7pm.
There is a major police presence in the city centre and ITV News understands that multiple people have been arrested. People are being advised to avoid the area.
Protesters from left- and right-leaning groups throw beer cans at each other in Castle Park.
It follows the deaths of three children in a stabbing in Southport on Monday.
There were scenes of violence after far-right and left-leaning protesters clashed in the city centre, with police officers working to distance the groups from one another.
Police use dispersal tactic on Bristol bridge
'Multiple arrests' made by police
Avon and Somerset Police said on X: "We have made multiple arrests as we are dealing with violent disorder in Bristol city centre."Some of the behaviour we have seen is completely unacceptable and we will use all the powers available to us to deal with it."We continue to advise people to avoid the area."
ITV News West Country's Robert Murphy was at the scene in Bristol
Around an hour after the rally began, he reported on X: "It seems police have been able to separate the groups, moving the anti immigration demo across Bristol Bridge."
Government condemns the disorder
Sir Keir Starmer said police have the Government’s “full support” to take action against “extremists” attacking officers and attempting to “sow hate” as he held crisis talks with ministers over the violence across parts of England.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said she would work with forces to help ensure “consequences, arrests and prosecutions” for those responsible.
She warned people taking part in disorder across England that those breaking the law “will pay the price”, telling them: “Thuggery has no place on the streets.”
Background to the protests
Dispersal orders were issued in several cities on Saturday as planned demonstrations turned violent in the wake of the stabbings at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club on Monday.
Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, 17, from Lancashire, is accused of the attack, but false claims spread online that the suspect was an asylum seeker who had arrived in the UK by boat.
Tensions remain high following the attack, with campaign group Hope Not Hate identifying more than 30 protests planned across the UK over the weekend.
We will bring you more updates on this story tomorrow morning, Sunday 4 August.
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