Police urge protestors to work with them
Two more protests are reportedly planned for Bristol this week
Avon and Somerset Police say two more protests are being planned for Bristol this week, as they urge organisers to work with them to prevent any violence.
It follows three protests in the city recently against the Police and Crime bill.
In a statement released on social media, Superintendent Mark Runacres said: "We are aware of two protests due to take place in Bristol city centre on Tuesday, 30 March and Saturday, 3 April.
"Following changes to COVID regulations, there is now an exemption to allow peaceful protests. However, this exemption only applies if the organisers take the required precautions to ensure people's safety is not put at risk.
"We would encourage any protest organisers to engage with the police so we can help them ensure any protests are legally compliant, while also minimising the risk to the general public during this health emergency.
"We do understand the strength of opposition to the new legislation being debated in Parliament but we're asking people to exercise their right to protest responsibly due to the clear health concerns.
"The pandemic hasn't ended and large numbers of people congregating together at any one time continues to increase the risk of spreading COVID-19. Ideally, people would find alternative ways to express themselves such as contacting your MP or signing one of the petitions available online.
"The NHS and hospitals continue to face significant pressure and we would urge people to continue to do all they can to help prevent the spread of the virus especially ahead of the Easter weekend.
"Policing plans will be in place to manage the two protests should they go ahead and specially trained protest liaison officers will attend and look to work with those gathered.
"We respect people have a fundamental right to protest and should the protests take place we want to ensure the do so peacefully and without incident".
Bristol West MP Thangam Debbonaire also commented on the protests, saying: "I’d really like organisers of any new protests to work with the police to help ensure that peaceful protest can go ahead.
"At a time when Bristol is in the spotlight, I believe we can show the country that we Bristolians know how to campaign peacefully for the change we really need".