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More photos of people connected to 'Kill the Bill' riot released as Bristol police plan giant investigation

(SWNS)
The eight new photos of people police are looking to speak to in connection with the 'Kill the Bill' protests. (SWNS)

Police have released eight new photos of people they want to speak to in connection with violence at Sunday's "Kill the Bill" protests that left over 20 officers injured.

Thousands protested peacefully in Bristol city centre against a government bill that would give more powers to police, but the situation turned violent and missiles were thrown, buildings were vandalised and police vehicles were set on fire.

Earlier this week Avon and Somerset Police released 10 photos of people they wish to trace over the disorder.

Today a spokesman for the force said it is now investigating assaults on 40 officers and one member of the media and had made two further arrests.

Police hold back people outside Bridewell Police Station as they take part in a 'Kill the Bill' protest in Bristol, demonstrating against the Government's controversial Police and Crime Bill. Picture date: Sunday March 21, 2021. (Photo by Andrew Matthews/PA Images via Getty Images)
Police hold back people outside Bridewell police station on Sunday. (Andrew Matthews/PA Images via Getty Images)

Crowds had been protesting against the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, which would introduce a range of powers to impose start and finish times on protests and set noise limits.

Around 3,000 people attended a peaceful demonstration on College Green but events turned violent after about 500 people descended on New Bridewell police station.

Watch: Bristol riot: what happened at the ‘Kill the Bill’ protest?

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Chief Superintendent Carolyn Belafonte said: “As we said from the outset, this will be a substantial investigation which has the potential to be one of the largest in our history.

“The fact we’re investigating 40 assaults on officers and a member of the media as the result of one incident shows the scale of wanton disorder which took place that night.

“Through painstaking work to examine more than two terabytes worth of digital footage, we believe we’re making clear progress to identify those responsible and anticipate further images will be released soon to the online gallery we’ve set up.

A vandalised police van on fire outside Bridewell Police Station, as other police vehicles arrive after protesters demonstrated against the Government's controversial Police and Crime Bill. Picture date: Sunday March 21, 2021.
A vandalised police van on fire outside New Bridewell police station during Sunday's protests.

“One of the people we believe we’ve already identified is a suspect in the fire which destroyed a mobile community police station.

“We’d like to thank every member of the public who’s got in touch to provide footage, information or to pass on their well-wishes and kind thoughts.”

A statement from Avon and Somerset Police said: "Officers and staff are making clear progress as they continue to investigate violent disorder which broke out in Bristol city centre on Sunday.

People take part in a 'Kill the Bill' protest in College Green, Bristol, demonstrating against the Government's controversial Police and Crime Bill. Picture date: Sunday March 21, 2021.
People take part in a 'Kill the Bill' protest in College Green, Bristol, demonstrating against the government's controversial police and crime bill.

"Two further people, a 20-year-old man and a man currently refusing to provide details, have been arrested on suspicion of violent disorder and are in custody. This brings the total number of arrests so far to nine.

"In addition, we are now investigating assaults on 40 officers and one member of the media. Thankfully following a full medical assessment of the two officers taken to hospital, neither were found to have suffered confirmed broken bones.

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"Since launching a dedicated form for members of the public to supply footage or give us information about those involved, we’ve had 210 submissions and a further 68 calls to our control room."

The violence drew condemnation from across the political spectrum, with home secretary Priti Patel saying there was no room for "thuggish behaviour" in our society.

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