Kill the Bill protest: Man charged with attempted arson after violence at Bristol demo
A MAN has been charged with attempted arson with intent to endanger life from the first Kill the Bill protest in Bristol.
Bristol: Police van seen in flames during 'Kill the Bill' protest
Meanwhile police have warned anyone planning disorder over the Bank Holiday weekend they face arrest. Ryan Paul Roberts, 25, was arrested in connection with a lit item being placed underneath an occupied police van during a riot which saw vehicles set on fire and officers allegedly attacked.
On Friday, Avon and Somerset Police said the incident happened during violent disorder outside their police station in Bridewell Street, Bristol, on Sunday March 21.
The force said Roberts, of Madeira Road, Plymouth, is also charged with two counts of criminal damage and two counts of assaulting an emergency worker.
He has been remanded in custody ahead of appearing at Bristol Magistrates' Court on Saturday, April 3.
Two other men and a woman have been arrested on suspicion of violent disorder and released under investigation.
In total, 29 people have now been arrested in connection with the riot that saw 500 people march on Bridewell police station and set fire to police vehicles and attack the station.
On Thursday, a police spokesman said: "We'd like to thank the public for their continued support with what is a challenging investigation, especially those who have called in with information.
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"There are currently 16 images in our online gallery of people we want to identify as part of our inquiry and we continue to appeal to people to contact us if they recognise any of them."
Since the first demonstration there have been three other protests in the city against the Government's proposed Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill.
Protests on March 23 and 26 ended in clashes between the police and protesters.
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However, a further demonstration on March 30 passed off peacefully.
The proposed Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill would give police in England and Wales more power to impose conditions on non-violent protests, including those deemed too noisy or a nuisance, with those convicted liable to fines or jail terms.
Tweeting after the second protest, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “Last night saw disgraceful attacks against police officers in Bristol.
“The police and the city have my full support.”
Police today issued warnings against people gathering over the Easter weekend as multiple Kill the Bill protests are expected to take place across England on Friday.
A rally against the Government's proposed Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill has been organised for 2pm at Finsbury Park in London, with similar events planned in Leeds, Manchester and Southampton.
Although the protests are lawful providing organisers submit a risk assessment and take steps to ensure the gatherings are safe, the Metropolitan Police warned on Thursday the safety of the wider community is paramount.
The force said: "Enforcement action will be taken, if needed, in the interests of public health."
Meanwhile, Greater Manchester Police sought to avoid a repeat of scenes played out across the country this week by introducing a 48-hour dispersal order for the city centre, to last until 3pm on Saturday