Riot cops are confronted by naked protester during ANOTHER night of violence in Bristol as police chief says officers feel 'under siege' amid claims they have lost control - while 'Kill the Bill' activists urge supporters to destroy evidence
- Officers with riot shields and helmets were called in to clear College Green in the centre of the city at 10pm
- Scenes descended into chaos when 150 protesters refused to disperse, with police arresting 14 people
- Last night's demonstrations came just two days after Sunday brought nine arrests following the violence
- Yesterday, one protester was seen facing a row of riot police completely naked with her arms raised to the sky
- John Apter, national chairman of Police Federation of England and Wales, said officers 'battered and bruised'
- Posters congratulating protesters for Sunday night's destruction began appearing across the city on Tuesday
- Do you know the naked protester? Email jemma.carr@mailonline.co.uk Bristol riot officers were confronted by a naked protester last night - as a police boss reveals the force feels 'under siege' after yet another night of violent 'Kill The Bill' clashes in the city.
Police with riot shields and helmets were called in to clear College Green in the centre of the city at 10pm on Tuesday.
Around 150 protesters had earlier erected tents on the green in a protest at how the police crime sentencing and courts bill will impact travellers, squatters and the homeless. Scenes rapidly descended into chaos when protesters refused to disperse, with police arresting 14 people - just two days after Sunday brought nine arrests when scenes of violence first erupted in the city.
In shocking images from last night, one protester was seen facing a row of police completely naked with her arms raised to the sky.
One officer - wearing a riot shield and helmet - speaks to the woman, as other images show her collecting her belongings and walking away.
John Apter, the national chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said officers are 'battered and bruised, in some cases physically' after last night's clashes, especially as they came 'on the back of the most horrendous violence' on Sunday.
Posters congratulating protesters for the weekend's destruction - which left two police vehicles torched and 22 officers injured, two of whom were hospitalised - began appearing across the city throughout the day urging demonstrators to destroy evidence.
The bulletins, titled 'Advice for Kill the Bill protestors' begin by saying: 'Nice work! Well done.'
They go on to urge rioters to 'be careful about what you say online, by phone, or even around phones. Get rid of anything incriminating (eg clothes, maybe a phone).'
Demonstrators are also told not to 'help [police] gather info or evidence' by being 'careful about what you say online, by phone, or even around phones'.
Bristol riot officers were confronted by a naked protester (pictured) last night - as a police boss reveals the force feels 'under siege' after yet another night of violent 'Kill The Bill' clashes in the city
The protester (pictured) was seen facing police officers completely naked as they approached her in Bristol last night
Police with riot shields and helmets (pictured with a naked protester) were called in to clear College Green in the centre of the city at 10pm on Tuesday
In shocking images from last night, one protester was seen facing a row of police completely naked with her arms raised to the sky
One officer - wearing a riot shield and helmet - speaks to the woman. Around 150 protesters had earlier erected tents on the green in a protest at how the police crime sentencing and courts bill will impact travellers, squatters and the homeless
Other images show her collecting her belongings and walking away (pictured). John Apter, the national chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said officers are 'battered and bruised, in some cases physically' after last night's clashes, especially as they came 'on the back of the most horrendous violence' on Sunday
Posters (pictured) congratulating protesters for the weekend's destruction - which left two police vehicles torched and 22 officers injured, two of whom were hospitalised - began appearing across the city throughout the day urging demonstrators to destroy evidence
Mr Apter said last night's clashes were 'not good scenes to see' and blasted the rioters as 'completely unacceptable'.
He told BBC Breakfast: 'I really feel for my colleagues in Bristol. There is a sense that you really feel under siege. And for some, whatever they do, is not enough and for others, it's too much.
'This was on an evening where the vast majority of the country were remembering those many thousands of people who have been lost to this horrible virus, so it was not good scenes to see, and this was on the back of the most horrendous violence that we'd seen on Sunday evening.
'So my colleagues are battered and bruised, in some cases physically. We've got a number of officers who were injured on Sunday evening, some very seriously. This is completely unacceptable, completely unacceptable.'
Avon and Somerset Police said it arrested 14 people last night. One arrest is in connection with scenes from the weekend.
The 14 arrests were for offences including breaches of Covid-19 legislation and obstruction of a highway, with specially trained public order officers deployed from from Avon and Somerset Police, British Transport Police, Devon and Cornwall, Gloucestershire and Welsh forces, before the protest was brought to a close at around 2.40am.
Police and protesters at College Green in Bristol where police said around 150 protesters gathered earlier in the evening
The protesters had ignored calls to comply with Covid regulations and to go home. Pictured: A protester approaches a police officer in riot gear
Mr Apter (pictured) said last night's clashes were 'not good scenes to see' and blasted the rioters as 'completely unacceptable'
Chief Superintendent Claire Armes said: 'Officers had engaged with protestors and asked them to disperse, but tents and a sound system were set up so it was abundantly clear they were intent on remaining at the location, in spite of legislation in place to protect public health.
'After the scenes of violence witnessed in the city at the weekend it was necessary to bring in additional resources from our neighbouring forces to ensure the protest was safely brought to a swift conclusion.
'Throughout the operation officers continued to urge protestors to move on - at no time were they contained - but there came a time when enforcement was necessary as gatherings are still not permitted.'
They had ignored calls to comply with Covid regulations and to go home, prompting 100 officers to move in to disperse them.
It is the latest 'Kill the Bill' protest in the city against the Government's Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, which will see the police handed new powers to tackle demonstrations.
On Sunday, some 21 officers were injured after shocking scenes of violence broke out on Bristol streets following a protest against the bill.
Two officers were hospitalised, including one who suffered a punctured lung and broken ribs when he was stamped on.
Police investigating the riot that marred Sunday's protest in Bristol released images of 10 people they wish to trace.
Police are dispersing the protest on College Green in Bristol after another outbreak of violence
As of 11pm, there was a sit in protest by some 30 protesters who crouched down in front of a line of officers and refused to move
Police arrest a protester at College Green in Bristol after around 130 gathered to protest over the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill
Home Secretary Priti Patel criticised 'criminality and violent behaviour' during protests in Bristol.
She told BBC Breakfast: 'I saw some of the scenes, as I did on Sunday evening as well, and protests are unlawful right now and quite frankly we've seen more criminality and violent behaviour which is simply unacceptable.
'We live in an open society and a democracy so the principle to protest and to have your voice heard is absolutely crucial but there is no acceptability at all for criminality, thuggish behaviour and the type of violent scenes we've seen over recent evenings, they included the most appalling assaults and criminal attacks on police officers, there's a fundamental difference between the two.'
Last night, shortly before 11pm, police said protesters had been moved off College Green but that a 'significant number' remained on Deanery Road 'and continue to refuse to leave the area'.
The force tweeted: 'Officers will take proportionate action to disperse crowds. They are not containing anyone and we continue to urge people to move on.'
Officers were drafted in from as far as Salisbury in Wiltshire with one heard shouting at onlookers to 'go home'.
Two separate groups of riot police are understood to have swept through the green from different directions in a show of force after Sunday's violence.
Police in riot gear moved in on the camp and forcibly pushed and pulled up sitting protesters - including one man who was dragged back through police lines by his hair.Officers were seen trampling over tents and shoving protesters back with their riot shields.
A police officer at the scene said: 'There was a gathering on the Green that was in contravention of covid laws so it was the police's intention to clear the area as quickly and as safely as possible:
'Due to the ferocity of the violence on Sunday, officers needed to be in riot gear and needed to take robust action.'
At 11pm, there was a sit in protest by some 30 protesters who crouched down in front of a line of officers and refused to move.
Two female protesters told how they were sitting down on the green when police came in with force.
One said: 'They just came at us and gave us no warning whatsoever.
'I shouted to one 'what are you doing' and he hit me in the face. He hit my friend too and made her nose bleed. Nasty, nasty people.'
There was a sit in protest by some 30 protesters who crouched down in front of a line of officers and refused to move
Protesters sat on the floor whilst raising their arms during the protest this evening in Bristol
Protesters sat on the floor in front of a line of riot police officers and police on horseback this evening Police were seen wrenching tents away from people as they forced them back.
The protesters were chanting slogans like 'Whose streets? Our streets!' and 'Kill the Bill' but officers didn't appear to have been pelted with any missiles like at Sunday's protest.
A police officer at the scene said: 'There was a gathering on the Green that was in contravention of covid laws so it was the police's intention to clear the area as quickly and as safely as possible:
'Due to the ferocity of the violence on Sunday, officers needed to be in riot gear and needed to take robust action.'
A police helicopter was buzzing overhead as officers continued to cordon off the streets around College Green.
A YouTube livestream appearing to be from the demonstration showed large numbers of police with some officers on horseback and others with dogs. Shouts of 'Our streets' and 'Shame on You' could be heard.
Last night's protest comes after shocking scenes of violence erupted in the city on Sunday night.
Avon and Somerset Police today released images of ten people in connection with the violence at the weekend in which two police vehicles were torched, 22 officers were injured, including two who were hospitalised and a police station was vandalised.
Seven men, aged between 20 and 44, were arrested on suspicion of violent disorder and have all been released under investigation.
A 28-year-old man, from the Bedminster Down area of Bristol, has been charged with possessing an offensive weapon and appeared at Bristol Magistrates' Court earlier.
He is next due to appear at the same court on June 10.
And today, two further people were arrested on suspicion of violent disorder following Sunday's riots.
Avon and Somerset Police said a 20-year-old man and a man currently refusing to provide details were in custody. In total, nine people have been arrested in connection with the incident.
The force is investigating assaults on 40 officers and one member of the media.
A spokesman said: "Thankfully following a full medical assessment of the two officers taken to hospital, neither were found to have suffered confirmed broken bones.
"Since launching a dedicated form for members of the public to supply footage or give us information about those involved, we've had 210 submissions and a further 68 calls to our control room."
Around 3,000 people attended the peaceful demonstration on College Green on Sunday but events turned violent after around 500 people descended on the New Bridewell police station.
Detective Chief Superintendent Carolyn Belafonte said: 'The investigation into Sunday's disgraceful scenes of violence will undoubtedly be one of the largest in Avon and Somerset Police's history.
'More than 100 officers and staff continue to work on the inquiry which is being led by our major crime investigation team.
'Hundreds of hours of digital material has already been reviewed and images of the first 10 people detectives want to talk to about Sunday's events have been identified.
'Officers and staff are working their way through images and footage as quickly as they can but with more than two terabytes worth of CCTV footage as well as nearly 100 officers' body worn video cameras and more than 100 videos already sent in by members of the public to review, this will take a considerable amount of time.
'We expect to release images of many more people in the coming days and ask anyone who recognises anyone to contact us.'
The protesters were chanting slogans like 'Whose streets? Our streets!' and 'Kill the Bill' but they didn't appear to have been pelted with any missiles like at Sunday's protest
Officers stand in their riot gear at College Green in Bristol after around 130 protesters gathered in the evening
Police were seen wrenching tents away from people as they forced them back in Bristol
Police and protesters at College Green in Bristol where police said around 130 people had gathered earlier in the evening
A police helicopter was buzzing overhead as officers continued to cordon off the streets around College Green
Prime Minister Boris Johnson led the condemnation of the riot describing the scenes as 'unacceptable', Home Secretary Priti Patel said 'thuggery and disorder' would never be tolerated.
Andy Marsh, chief constable of Avon and Somerset Police, said the demonstration had been 'hijacked' by several hundred 'extremists'.
Footage of the carnage shows rioters hurling missiles at officers defending Bridewell police station in the city centre. Rioters were filmed celebrating atop burning police vehicles.
Mr Marsh said: 'I believe the events were hijacked by extremists, people who were determined to commit criminal damage, to generate very negative sentiment about policing and to assault our brave officers.
'There was a hardcore of serious criminals hidden within those 3,000 people – perhaps 400 or 500 people – and we certainly didn't trigger this.
'The officers were incredibly patient, incredibly professional and I pay tribute to them.'
Bristol mayor Marvin Rees, who said he had 'major concerns' about the Government's Bill, condemned the thuggery but said the disorder would be used to justify the legislation.
The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill would give the police in England and Wales more power to impose conditions on non-violent protests, including those deemed too noisy or a nuisance.
Those convicted under the proposed legislation could face a fine or jail.
On Tuesday night, it was revealed that a grinning protester photographed giving a two-fingered salute while sprawled across the front of a torched police van at the height of the Bristol anarchy on Sunday is the son of a senior civil servant working for the courts service.
ON SUNDAY NIGHT: Dressed in a hoodie with cargo pants and boots and a roll-up dangling from his mouth, son of a civil servant Richard Cooper posed for this photo outside Bristol's Bridewell police station during the riot on Sunday night while the mayhem reigned around him
ON SUNDAY NIGHT: Some of the protesters proudly posed above a burning police car in the city centre in the riot
ON SUNDAY NIGHT: Rioters set police vehicles on fire as protesters clashed with officers in the shocking scenes on Sunday night
With his hoodie and cargo pants, musician Richard Cooper, 27, looked every inch the anarchist as he joined in with the chaos.
However, his father Mark, 58, is a legal team manager for HM Courts and Tribunal Service in Kent, where Richard is believed to have been brought up, before moving to Bristol.
Dressed in a hoodie with cargo pants and boots and a roll-up dangling from his mouth, Cooper posed for this photo outside Bristol's Bridewell police station during the riot on Sunday night while the mayhem reigned around him.
Neighbours described Mark Cooper and his wife Susan, 57, as polite, though one said their son 'looked a rebel'.
Approached by MailOnline, Mr Cooper turned crimson-faced when shown the photo of his son posing in front of a police van amid the violence.
'I'm not going to talk to you,' he said before marching inside.
Given Mr Cooper's position, dealing with lawyers, judges and police officers, his son's appearance amid the carnage in Bristol will doubtless cause him grave embarrassment.
Wanted: Police release new pictures of 10 'Kill the Bill' protesters they want to trace as they probe violent Bristol riot
By Henry Martin for the MailOnline
Police are appealing for help identifying ten people as part of the investigation into the 'Kill the Bill' riots.
Bristol saw 3,000 legitimate demonstrators protesting the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill on Sunday, but moments of clear criminal damage were pictured being carried out, such as street furniture or roadworks equipment being destroyed.
Officers from Avon and Somerset Police have now issued pictures of ten people they want to speak to in connection with the Bristol riots. Eight men aged between 20 and 44 arrested for violent disorder have been released under investigation.
One 28-year-old man from the Bedminster Down area of Bristol, appeared at Bristol Magistrates' Court this morning.
He was charged with possessing an offensive weapon and is next due to appear at the same court on June 10.
Officers from Avon and Somerset Police have now issued pictures of ten people they want to speak to in connection with the Bristol riots
Officers from Avon and Somerset Police have now issued pictures of ten people they want to speak to in connection with the Bristol riots
A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police said it will be one of their biggest ever investigations
Pictured: Two of the ten people Avon and Somerset Police wish to speak to in connection with the Bristol event
A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police said it will be one of their biggest ever investigations.
They said: 'We're appealing for the public's help to identify ten people we'd like to speak to as part of our investigation into the violent disorder in Bristol on Sunday.
'A total of 21 officers were injured - two of them seriously - when they were violently confronted by people gathered outside the Bridewell Police Station in Bridewell Street.
'Officers were attacked and threatened, police vehicles including a community police station were set on fire and criminal damage was caused to the police station exterior.
'The disorder followed a protest in the city centre attended by an estimated 3,000 people.'
Police have released 10 pictures of people they would like to speak to in connection with Sunday's events in Bristol
Officers from Avon and Somerset Police have now issued pictures of ten people they want to speak to in connection with the Bristol riots
Detective Chief Superintendent Carolyn Belafonte said: 'The investigation into Sunday's disgraceful scenes of violence will undoubtedly be one of the largest in Avon and Somerset Police's history.
'More than 100 officers and staff continue to work on the inquiry which is being led by our Major Crime Investigation Team.
'Hundreds of hours of digital material has already been reviewed and images of the first 10 people detectives want to talk to about Sunday's events have been identified and published on a gallery on our website.
'Officers and staff are working their way through images and footage as quickly as they can but with more than two terabytes worth of CCTV footage as well as nearly 100 officers' body worn video cameras and more than 100 videos already sent in by members of the public to review, this will take a considerable amount of time.
Rioters set police vehicles on fire as protesters clashed with officers in the shocking scenes on Sunday night
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'We expect to release images of many more people in the coming days and ask anyone who recognises anyone to contact us. We'd also ask anyone who recognises themselves in the images to pick up the phone and dial 101 or visit their nearest police station so we can arrange for officers to talk to you to get your account of events.'
Det Ch Supt added: 'The incident attracted worldwide attention and we continue to be humbled by the incredible support shown to us from the public, as well as from organisations and agencies across the city and beyond.
'The public response in particular has been nothing short of amazing and I want all those who've shown us support and kindness to know how much we appreciate it.
'In addition to asking for help to identify the people in the images we're releasing, we also continue to ask people to submit any footage or photos they may have captured of Sunday's events. We've set up a dedicated form on our website where people can submit material or provide us with information.
'Other lines of enquiry are also being progressed, including forensic evidence, which will help us identify those involved. We may have only arrested eight people so for but I guarantee we're wholly committed to tracking down those who carried out offences and with the help of the public we will be making more arrests very soon.'
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