Police officer gives impassioned reaction to 'demoralising' violent Bristol protest

22 March 2021, 16:46 | Updated: 22 March 2021, 17:08

Demoralised officer calls for police impartiality after protests

By Sam Sholli

A police officer has given LBC his impassioned reaction to what he called "demoralising" scenes at a violent protest in Bristol.

At least seven people have been arrested in connection with the violent clashes after 20 police officers were left injured.

The officer told LBC: "To see what happened last night in Bristol and to see people just completely disregard all of the restrictions in order to just basically have a go at the police...who are there to just enforce the law as opposed to make the law, was incredibly demoralising.

"My family [are] all living in lockdown. We can't do things. We can't go anywhere. We can't do anything we enjoy, other than walk the dog once a day. It's just incredibly demoralising."

James O'Brien caller reveals what he saw at violent Bristol protests

He then said: "We as the police, we need to police by consent. But we can't always try and police everybody.

"And I think when protests are going on, we should be completely and utterly impartial."

A full investigation has been launched into what happened in Bristol, which was condemned as ""wanton violence and destruction" by Avon and Somerset Police.

Bristol violence "million miles away" from Black Lives Matter protests

Responding to what happened, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "I think all that kind of thing is unacceptable and the people obviously have a right to protest in this country.

"But they should protest peacefully and legally."

READ MORE: 'Disgraceful': 20 officers injured in Bristol 'Kill the Bill' protest

More Shelagh Fogarty News

See more More Shelagh Fogarty News

The Princess of Wales says she edited the photograph that was released to mark Mother's Day.

The insistence that we see Kate is tantamount to stalking, writes Shelagh Fogarty

Caller tells Shelagh his solution to illegal immigration.

LBC caller tells Shelagh Fogarty that the Channel islands are the answer to 'illegal immigration'

'Rishi Sunak chooses to do the self interested party politics': Shelagh Fogarty reflects on Tories' immigration policies

'Rishi Sunak chooses to do the self-interested party politics': Shelagh Fogarty reflects on Tories' migration policies

Shelagh Fogarty

Former Treasury official outlines 'three immediate priorities' likely to be reflected in Autumn Statement

Shelagh Fogarty

Suella Braverman's hardline crime bill seems like she's ‘interviewing' for career at ‘pathetic’ news channels, says caller

Shelagh and caller Sam

Anti-Semitic chants and actions 'delegitimize' pro-Palestinian cause asserts this Shelagh Fogarty caller

Shelagh and Ricardo Dos Santos

'It's sickening': Ricardo Dos Santos speaks to Shelagh Fogarty as two officers sacked over stop and search

Shelagh

Rishi Sunak has 'failed monumentally' to 'humanise' both sides of the Israel-Hamas conflict says Israel expert

Shelagh and Callum

Twitter is a 'particularly dangerous' place to get information now says the Centre for Countering Digital Hate

Shelagh and caller Simon

LBC caller details 'disgusting anti-Semitic' act he witnessed, as hate crimes rise in fall out of Israel-Hamas war

Sister of missing Israeli woman

'We hope she's hiding somewhere': Sister of missing Israeli festival goer fears she is being held hostage by Hamas

Distraught caller on Israel-Gaza conflict.

'This is a war against Hamas!': Distraught caller wants Israel and Palestine to take down the 'enemy' together

Shelagh and Alicia Kearns

Head of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee expresses concern over Israeli 'siege of Gaza'

Shelagh Fogarty caller on facial recognition.

This caller lacks 'trust' in the government's handling of the AI facial recognition debate

Shelagh condemns PM's comments on 'dignity' of the elderly.

'He painted a picture of a Britain that the Conservatives meant to build...': Shelagh Fogarty condemns PM's suggestion that elderly have 'dignity'

Shelagh Fogarty on Jenrick

'We're full aren't we?': Shelagh questions Robert Jenrick's motive behind encouraging Brits to increase birth rate