Thousands of Britons revolted in the early hours of Monday against plans to give British police new powers to counter protests – leaving 20 policemen injured, including one with a perforated lung, officials said.
At least 5,000 people initially joined the afternoon protests in Bristol against the planned legislation, BristolLive said, with many carrying banners condemning a dreaded “police state” and “dictatorship”.
The so-called “Kill the Bill” protests became violent when “several thousand” people descended on a police station in the south-west of England – provoking a heated riot stolen for hours, local media said.
After the rioters tried to push a police van, officers were caught on two fronts, the outlet said – police vehicles caught fire and the windows of the compound shattered. Some of the crowds even managed to reach the roof of the station and throw stones in front of the officers, BristolLive said.
Local police called for reinforcements from surrounding areas and used pepper spray and police dogs to push against the riots, the outlet said.
The violence left 20 officers injured. Two were hospitalized with broken bones, including one who suffered and a perforated lung, Avon and Somerset police said.
The protests were against the police, crime, convictions and government courts bill – now in parliament – which would give police new powers to impose time and noise limits on street protests. The name of the protest, “Kill the Bill”, also has ominous subtleties, as the British police are commonly nicknamed “Bill”.
While only seven people were arrested during the night, the force launched “one of the largest calls for wanted suspects I have ever made,” said Chief Police Officer Andy Marsh.
“Violence and unintentional destruction have nothing to do with the protest – they were committed by those looking for an excuse to commit disorder,” the top policeman said in a statement, condemning the “shameful” scenes.
“Officers were thrown with stones, rockets and fireworks and it was a terrifying situation for them to deal with,” he said. At least 12 police vehicles were destroyed after the protest was “hijacked by extremists,” he said.
The Secretary of the Interior of Great Britain, Priti Patel, also broke up “Unacceptable scenes.”
“Trafficking and disorder by a minority will never be tolerated,” she wrote on Twitter.
Sue Mountstevens, police and crime commissioner for the Avon and Somerset region, called the riots “shameful and outrageous.”
“Police officers left for work yesterday and some returned home from the hospital beaten and bruised,” she said.
Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees – who opposes new legislation – said “Good Morning Britain” On Monday, the rioters used it only as an excuse to “destroy our city” and hurt their cause.
“It will be used as evidence by people who want to support the bill,” he said.
With Post Wires