Three people were arrested outside HMP Bronzefield in Surrey following the protest on December 17 where police have claimed officers and prison staff were assaulted.
HMP Bronzefield in Ashford, Surrey. (Image: PA Archive/PA Images)
A man from Glasgow has been arrested following a large protest outside a prison in Surrey where an inmate is on hunger strike. Three people were arrested outside HMP Bronzefield following the protest on December 17 where police have claimed officers and prison staff were assaulted.
A police vehicle was also damaged during the protest, leading to the 28-year-old Glasgow man’s arrest for suspicion of criminal damage.
Police had been called to the scene, arriving at 5.30am to assess the situation and engage with prison staff and protesters. The group was protesting lawfully outside the prison and officers left the scene just before 9am, Surrey Live reports.
At 9.53am, Surrey police received an update that protesters had attempted to gain entry to restricted areas of the prison. Officers were deployed to the scene to support prison staff in removing the protesters from the building, during which police have said that one of the prison staff was assaulted.
A 29-year-old man from Northamptonshire has been arrested on suspicion of assault occasioning bodily harm. At the point of arresting this man, police say several people became disruptive and an officer was assaulted. A 28-year-old woman from Surrey has been arrested on suspicion of assault causing grievous bodily harm.
Officers added that the protesters had been blocking the road, delaying their ability to get medical assistance to the injured officer and causing disruption to prison transport.
Detective Superintendent Matt Barcraft-Barnes said: “We will support people’s rights, including those involved in lawful protest; however, this is balanced with the impact on the wider community and I condemn the actions of those involved in extensive disorder and criminal behaviour will not be tolerated.
“It is unacceptable that two emergency services workers have been assaulted in today’s incident.”