NEWS
Bristol rioters can expect ‘loud knocks at the door’
The operation to find those responsible for the disgraceful attacks on police officers in Bristol will be one of the largest in Avon and Somerset Police’s history, the force said. A total of 21 officers were injured by
a mob outside Bridewell Police Station on 21 March. Police vehicles including a community police station were set on fire and criminal damage was caused to the station exterior. The violence erupted out of a ‘Kill
the Bill’ protest in the city centre hours earlier, where around 3,000 protesters marched against Government plans to increase police powers to deal with non- violent demonstrations. Detective Chief Superintendent Carolyn Belafonte said: “More than 100 officers and staff continue to work on the inquiry which is being led by our Major Crime Investigation Team. The public response 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.” John Apter, National Chair of the
Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) told the media that instigators could expect to get “very loud knocks on the door” and added: “What started as a peaceful event, albeit an unlawful gathering, was completely hijacked by a hardcore element. It’s not about protest
for them, it’s about violence, damaging property and anarchy.” John continued: “We had individuals trying to set fire to a police van with police officers still inside – and the next day on social media we had an individual claiming that we deliberately make police vans available to be set on fire as a tactic, because it gets photographed and it looks good in the media. This is the level of stupidity we have to cope with.
“Disorder in recent weeks
has created a pressure cooker of circumstances. It’s police officers who are facing the brunt of public anger and frustration; but violence against my colleagues is completely unacceptable and must stop now.”
Andy Roebuck, Chair of Avon and Somerset Police Federation, commented: “Disgusting scenes in Bristol by a mob of animals who are injuring police officers, members of the public, and damaging property. This is so wrong.”
Praise for Fed as MPs debate policing bill While the bill has proved controversial due
Priti Patel praised the Federation and its National Chair as she opened a debate in Parliament about the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill. The Home Secretary told the Commons on
15 March: “We do ask our brave police ofcers to do the most difcult of jobs. They run towards danger to keep us all safe. That is why I’ve worked closely with the Police Federation in developing this bill. “I’d like to pay tribute to the Chair of the
Police Federation, John Apter, for his constructive way of working since I became Home Secretary, admirably fighting for his members every single day. He’s voiced his concerns to me directly and I have acted upon them.”
04 | POLICE | APRIL 2021
to aspects which increase police powers to curb demonstrations, it contains many positive provisions for ofcers that PFEW has long campaigned for, such as a Police Covenant, better protection for police drivers, increased sentences for assaults on emergency workers and Special Constables being allowed to join the Police Federation. John welcomed the Home Secretary’s
comments as a sign of constructive relations, and added: “We have had our disagreements including over the pay freeze, pensions and the vaccine – but we have to work with politicians and many others across policing to get our voice heard, and I’ll continue to do that.”
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