North Wales man charged following far right disorder in Bristol

Adrian Croft is charged with a Section 4 public order offence and possession of a Class A drug.

Several messages like this have appeared around Castle Park in Bristol where Saturday's unrest began
Author: James DiamondPublished 5th Aug 2024

Two men, one of whom is from North East Wales, have been charged with a section four public order offence, after violence broke out in the centre of Bristol on Saturday evening (10th August).

There were clashes between protestors from the far right, the police and counter protestors in Castle Park over the weekend in response to the killing of three young girls in Southport last Monday (29th July).

Avon and Somerset Police say they have charged 45-year-old Adrian Croft from Holywell in Flintshire with possession of cocaine as well as the public order offence, which relates to using threatening or abusive words or behaviour.

Damien Williams (39) from Stockwood Crescent in Knowle, has also been charged with the same public order offence.

Both men have been released on bail to appear at Bristol Magistrates Court on Thursday 5th September.

UK sees widespread unrest

Violence was also seen over the weekend in other locations including Tamworth, Rotherham and Bolton, all in response to the mass stabbing in Southport last Monday.

It is believed that courts could be told to sit "overnight" as a way of processing the number of people arrested at the protests that have sprung up across the UK.

Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson said that this would be done to ensure that the "thugs" who "maraud our streets" will be brought to justice, as forces can use their powers to recruit extra officers where needed.

Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer has said he is giving his "full backing" for the police to take any action necessary to apprehending what he called "extremists".

Tense scenes were seen in cities such as Manchester, Nottingham, Leeds and Liverpool as hundreds came out to take part in demonstrations under the theme of "Enough is Enough".

Similarly in Hull, violent scenes erupted when a man was dragged from a car by protestors, leading to a heavy police response.

In Northern Ireland, clashing protests and counter-demonstrations hurled missiles and flares, as an enhanced police presence descended on the city centre, with a particular focus on the City Hall.

Minister Dame Diana said that additional support has been offered to forces, but these have been rejected.

"The police have made it very clear that they have all the resources they need at the moment... they have the powers that they need," she said in an interview.

"There is no need to bring in the Army and there has been no discussion about that. They have long-standing plans in place for mutual aid if they need to put extra police officers into certain parts of the country."

Clare Moody, Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset said: "This behaviour is not protest. It is not an expression of legitimate concern. It is criminal.

"These actions do not represent the values of Bristol or the wider Avon and Somerset area. We are a strong, diverse and vibrant community where people from all walks of life live peacefully alongside one another.

"I want to extend my gratitude to the police officers who have been on the front lines, dealing with these disturbances with professionalism and courage.

"These actions will have consequences and I welcome Keir Starmer and Yvette Cooper's commitment to ensure that those involved will face the full force of the law.

"Now is a time for calm and reflection."

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