'Police assaulted me': Violent scenes on streets of Britain
Ten people have been arrested in the English city of Bristol after protests over a new policing bill turned violent.
Police said people threw glass bottles and bricks at officers after thousands of demonstrators converged on the city centre on Friday.
Demonstrators ignored Covid-19 restrictions to protest against a government bill going through parliament that would give police new powers to restrict street protests.
"Ten people were arrested for offences including violent disorder, assaulting an emergency worker and possession of Class A drugs," Superintendent Mark Runacres said in a statement.
"Items, including glass bottles and bricks were thrown at officers, fireworks were launched at our mounted section while one of our horses was also covered with paint," he added.
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Last Sunday, two police officers were seriously injured and at least two police vehicles set on fire in Bristol after a peaceful protest turned violent.
"Three of those arrested were also detained in connection with the violent disorder which took place in Bristol on Sunday," Runacres said.
TW: Violence
An officer in Bristol either punches or hits a baton across the face of a woman.
One person there told me it was the most brutal they’d ever seen the police. If politicians, media & civil society can’t reject this we have major problems. pic.twitter.com/9mK7vcsZ3g— Aaron Bastani (@AaronBastani) March 27, 2021
Video uploaded to Twitter on Saturday shows a police officer allegedly beating a woman over the head with a baton at the protests.
“One person there told me it was the most brutal they’d ever seen the police,” journalist Aaron Bastani wrote.
Another journalist uploaded vision claiming he was “assaulted” by police despite stating he was “respectfully observing” the demonstration.
Police assaulted me at the Bristol protest even though I told them I was from the press. I was respectfully observing what was happening and posed no threat to any of the officers. I have muted the latter part of the video to spare you all the pain of hearing my shrill voice. pic.twitter.com/a7a0Nnw0bG
— Matthew Dresch (@MatthewDresch) March 27, 2021
The controversial new bill would give police new powers to impose time and noise limits on street protests.
The bill has angered activists, particularly since a heavy-handed police response to a London vigil for murdered woman Sarah Everard on March 13 caused widespread outrage and criticism of the police.
A police officer has been charged with Everard's kidnap and murder, and the case has unleashed an outpouring of grief and rage over the issue of violence against women and girls.
with AAP
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