The measures are in place throughout today as opposing protest groups plan demonstrations
A map showing the extent of Avon and Somerset Police’s Section 60 Dispersal Zone, in place for 24 hours from 7am on Saturday, August 9 and 7am on Sunday August 10(Image: Avon and Somerset police)
A dispersal zone is in place in Bristol city centre from 7am today, Saturday, to 7am on Sunday (August 9). A map released by Avon and Somerset Police shows where they will have special powers to move people along, and potentially arrest them if they don’t, while the order is in place.
The powers have been granted to police under the Public Order Act ahead of a possible demonstration and counter demonstration outside a hotel on Welsh Back on Saturday morning. For the 24 hours the zone is in place, officers will also be able to compel people within the area to remove face coverings.
The dispersal zone covers most of the city centre, from Hotwells and the Harbourside to Castle Park, Broadmead and Temple Meads. The hotel on Welsh Back, which lies in the middle of the zone, has been listed as a location for a protest at 12pm as part of a day of national action by anti-immigration campaigners.
Counter-protestors from groups including Stand up to Racism Bristol have said they will turn out to oppose the anti-immigration campaigners at 11.30am. It is unclear how many people from either side will turn up but police have taken preventative action to deter disorder.
In 2024, there were major disturbances in Castle Park, Baldwin Street and outside a hotel in Redcliffe when a protest by anti-immigration campaigners turned violent. A few days later, thousands of people turned out in Old Market to demonstrate their opposition to the far-right protests.
A map showing the extent of Avon and Somerset Police’s Section 60 Dispersal Zone, in place for 24 hours from 7am on Saturday, August 9 and 7am on Sunday August 10(Image: Avon and Somerset police)
Fifty-three people have been arrested since last year’s disturbances, with 50 charged, according to the police. An Avon and Somerset Police spokesperson said it was important to balance public safety with respect for the right to protest.
Neighbourhood Policing Ch Insp Serena Serjeant said: “We will always seek to enable peaceful and lawful protests but we will not tolerate any form of disorder in our communities. It is important we ensure the safety of both those participating in the protests and the wider public, this is why we have put this operation and these additional powers in place.
“In previous events of this nature, we have seen people sometimes use face coverings to hide their identities in order to commit offences. By pre-authorising these powers, it will allow our officers on the ground the opportunity to engage with those wearing face coverings and ask them to remove them, so we can reduce the risk of criminal offences being committed.
“We’ll continue to proactively engage with our community stakeholders and leaders with messaging which can then be shared among the communities most impacted.”
Similar measures are in place in cities across the UK as police around the country brace themselves for a weekend of trouble.