‘I’m willing to take a swing, spit or be stabbed’
Pete Gavan Senior Editor and SWNSFilipaGaspar (Filipa Gaspar)
14:00, 31 Aug 2025
Campaigner Tony Nelson
Tony Nelson, the man spearheading the campaign against Bristol’s ‘van dwellers’, has expressed fears for his family’s safety, suggesting he could be attacked or even stabbed.
Nelson is the leading figure of the ‘Protect the Downs’ group, which is advocating for the removal of vehicles from their local public green space.
In Bristol, over 600 people reside in vans and caravans parked on roadsides, with a significant number based on or near Clifton Downs.
Tensions have escalated with local residents, culminating in a van being set alight in a suspected arson attack this week.
Nelson, a father, husband, and engineer, revealed that he has seen online threats directed at him and his family, reports Bristol Live.
However, he asserts that he would “take a swing”, “spit” or endure a “stab” for the cause of his group.
During a recent filming for the BBC, Nelson was allegedly “attacked” by a van-dweller who also hit a camera.
The individual accused Nelson of inciting “hate and violence” against van-dwellers, stating that the two groups were “well past talking to each other” before reportedly pushing him.
Following the incident, Nelson admitted it was the first time he had been attacked, leaving him concerned for the safety of his family and friends.
Despite this, he insists he is not worried about his own safety, reiterating that he would “take a swing”, “spit” or accept a “stab” for his campaign.
Nelson emphasises that his campaign group is not against van-dwellers per se, but rather those attempting to “trying to claim” the park.
When questioned about how it felt to be attacked on television, Mr Nelson, 52, said: “It leaves an impact and makes me worry about the safety of my family and my friends. It doesn’t really worry me.
“There is other threatening behaviour which I have reported to the police.
“Online threats saying ‘let’s find out where these people live’, ‘let’s go to their house’, ‘let’s take them down a peg or two’.”
He added: “I can’t afford to get overly concerned and frankly, if someone hurts me, it’s simply going to prove that we’re right. I’m used to putting my body on the line. It doesn’t bother me.
“If I have to do it in this cause, if it helps people, get the help they really need – then I’m willing to put my body on the line for that.
“And if somebody decides they want to take a swing at me, or spit at me, or try and stab me, then fine, that’s what has to be done.”
More than 600 individuals are residing in vans across Bristol due to soaring rental prices and a housing emergency.
Although numerous van residents have stated that living in mobile homes is their sole alternative, Mr Nelson considers it a ‘lifestyle’ decision.
He explained that locals have raised concerns about rubbish, disturbance and antisocial conduct near their homes. Mr Nelson continued: “You don’t have to live in a park and you don’t have to live on the street and outside someone’s house.
“Why have you chosen to impact someone else? A lot of people use the housing thing as an excuse. There are other places to go. For most people in the world they have to commute.
“If I can’t afford a car I have bought a bike – and I have done this. I can’t live where I want to live there are other places where I have had to live where I could afford and I’ve just commuted in and that’s how the real world works.
“Littering is a colossal problem. This is a protected environment and this is where people come to relax and to take that away from Bristolians we think is unreasonable. There is no excuse for it, there are other places to go.
“We need to protect this environment. We know that there are other parts of Bristol where they are having the exact same issues.”
On June 12, approximately 300 members of campaign group Protect The Downs staged a demonstration march through the area, hoping to get the camp cleared.
Mr Nelson claims the organisation “is not against” those living in vehicles but objects to individuals who are “trying to claim the parks”.
He continued: “We are not against vehicle dwellers we are against people who decide that they are trying to claim our parks for their own residents, that they are trying to park outside your house and then leave in your street and use your garden as a toilet.
“Imagine you are starting your day, you’re a nurse, a police officer, a teacher and you start your day by looking out your front window to someone who has decided that they have got a right to live a couple of meters outside your house.
“And then in the winter when it gets cold they are just going to spark up their generator and all the generator fumes are gonna come wafting into your house.”
Mr Nelson has urged the council to exercise its authority to remove vans and their occupants.
He wants the authority to assist those in genuine need whilst moving others along.
“We know that there are responsible vehicle dwellers, we know there are people trying to get on the housing ladder but you don’t have to do it at the expense of a park or someone’s wellbeing because you are living outside their house,” he added.
“I want to make sure that the people on the vans who are really vulnerable the council can find them and support them and that’s not happening because lots of people choosing this as a lifestyle choice.
“There are people out there who really need help and they are not getting it – this is council incompetence.”
Thousands of pounds have been collected by ‘Protect the Downs’ through a fundraising campaign responding to the increase in people residing in vehicles on Clifton Downs.
The fundraising effort was discreetly launched earlier this year and has gathered more than £7,000. The group is fundraising to cover the costs of legal advice, potential action, holding decision-makers accountable, environmental investigations such as water and soil testing, campaign materials, marketing and administrative fees.
However, if they fail to reach their £12,000 target, they will “prioritise the most urgent actions” such as legal letters and expert reports.
It’s estimated that around 107 people are living on the Downs, making it the largest encampment in Bristol. Local residents have previously reported suspected thefts, drug use and intimidation linked to the influx of van dwellers.
Those living in vehicles acknowledge that there is a diverse mix of individuals, from professionals and academics to those struggling with substance abuse, and not everyone treats the area with respect.
Bristol City Council has received over 1,500 complaints and reports related to the encampments, including issues of littering, unsightliness, blocked pavements, feelings of threat and anti-social behaviour.
However, the council has noted that some reports contain hate speech and ‘othering’, which can contribute to prejudice against communities living in vehicles.
Rather than moving the van dwellers, the council has decided to offer them council-provided pitches on temporary “meanwhile sites”. These sites will provide basic amenities like water and waste disposal for a fee.