A group of anti-immigration protesters have been met by a large counter-demonstration outside a hotel housing refugees and asylum seekers.
About 75 people from a group calling themselves the Bristol Patriots gathered outside the Mercure Hotel in Redcliffe on Saturday afternoon.
They were met by about 350 counter-protesters after posters went up around Bristol calling on people to “defend the Mercure”.
About 200 Avon and Somerset Police officers are in attendance and Redcliff Hill is currently closed to traffic.
Some anti-immigration protesters clashed with police [BBC]
Footage from the scene showed some anti-immigration protesters clashing with police.
The force said on Friday it would be mounting an operation to enable peaceful protests from both sides and to minimise disruption to members of the public.
Police lines kept the two groups separate.
Ch Insp Keith Smith said: “Peaceful protest is a fundamental part of UK society and one that must be respected by all.
“The conditions that have been authorised are designed to ensure anyone who wants to protest is free to do so.”
He added: “We wish to make it abundantly clear to all that we will not accept any form of hate, discrimination or violence.”
A police spokesperson said on Saturday that Redcliffe Hill’s inbound carriageway is closed.
“We are grateful for the public’s continuing patience while our policing operation is ongoing,” they added.
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