Bristol protest violence was 'absolutely outrageous'

Violence at protests in Bristol city centre has been described by police as "absolutely outrageous".

Hundreds of far-right protesters - and a counter group - gathered for two demonstrations near Castle Park. Tensions have been high across England after the killing of three young girls in Southport, Merseyside, on Monday.

Campaigners later moved to outside a hotel that houses asylum seekers. Riot vans blocked Redcliff Hill. Anti-racist protesters said they locked arms to stop rival demonstrators from storming the building.

Multiple arrests were made. Insp Jo Hayward-Melen said she felt "officers and the public were at risk" during the disorder.

Bottles were thrown, windows smashed and there have been several scuffles with officers.

The force's spokesperson added: "While we will facilitate peaceful protest, some of the behaviour we have seen is completely unacceptable and we will not tolerate it.

"We are advising people to avoid the city centre."

During the protest outside Mercure Hotel on Redcliffe Hill, frightened guests were seen looking out of their windows.

Insp Hayward-Melen said her teams were quick to move from the city centre to the hotel to "disperse" the crowd there.

A group dispersed from the city centre headed to the Mercure Bristol Hotel

Counter protesters came to try and protect the Mercure Hotel

Anti-racist protester Lucas Ward left Castle Park and linked arms with others in front of the hotel when they heard protesters might go there.

"We got word the far-right protesters were going to come to this hotel because they heard they've got migrants and some asylum seekers here.

"We came here to protect it. And it's a good thing we did because we got here just before the far-right did, before the police did, and if we weren't here they'd have tried to storm the hotel.

"They tried to barricade and force their way through us," he said.

Throughout the evening, he said, he saw multiple people injured after being struck by bottles and other missiles.

Police have made several arrests

There were also reports of people being barricaded in restaurants while protesters tried to break in.

Philippa Swatton, who was visiting her son, said she was dining outside the Pasture restaurant near Redcliff Hill when a group of rioters came walking towards them.

"We had our two dogs with us and suddenly heard 'everyone get in'.

"I couldn't undo my dog's lead and I thought I'd just stay under the table with her.

"Everyone was smashing things on the table," she said.

A police car was vandalised during the protests in Bristol

Buses were unable to drive down Bristol Bridge

BBC reporter Scott Ellis followed the protests throughout the day.

He said: "There's been three or four hours or either stand offs or running battles through the city centre's streets.

"You can see people having a nice drink in the sun and the next thing is there will be protesters running back, throwing things at the police who are coming through with dogs and horses."

Protesters blocked the road on Bristol Bridge

While at the demonstration in Castle Park, protesters sang Rule Britannia, "England 'til I die" and "we want our country back".

Meanwhile, anti-racism campaigners chanted "refugees are welcome here".

Beer cans were thrown at the anti-racist group, and some of the rival protesters were baton-charged by officers.

Avon and Somerset Police have been granted extra powers in Bristol, allowing them greater stop and search powers and enhanced ability to disperse crowds.

Rival protesters clashed with police

Insp Hayward-Melen said she hoped this would be the end of the protests.

"If it happened again – would be disappointing, my hope it we don’t see a repeat of this level of force," she said.

"I don’t want to see items thrown at police or anyone else."