Edward Colston statue: Man held over criminal damage

The statue of Edward Colston was pushed into the harbour after being toppled by protesters

A man has been arrested in connection with the toppling of a statue of slave trader Edward Colston.

A bronze memorial to the 17th Century slave merchant was torn down in Bristol during a Black Lives Matter protest on 7 June and was dumped in the harbour.

Avon and Somerset Police said it would review footage of a "small group of people" filmed pulling down the statue with ropes.

A 24-year-old has been held on suspicion of criminal damage.

The investigation remains ongoing.

The statue was pulled from its plinth on 7 June

Officers previously appealed for the public's help to identify 15 people they wanted to speak to.

"In the eyes of the law", the force said, a crime had been committed and the force was "duty-bound to investigate without fear or favour".

The statue was pulled from its plinth in the city centre and was rolled into the harbour.

It was later recovered from the water and is due to be given a new home in a city museum displayed with placards from the Black Lives Matter protest.