Bristol violence not surprising to those in policing circles amid fears of more protests
Pent-up frustrations over COVID restrictions, along with a range of political hot topics, is driving many to voice their concerns.
Tuesday 23 March 2021 04:22, UK
The level of violence in Bristol on Sunday night was shocking, but not surprising to those in policing circles, who've been warning for some time of the potential for significant disorder in the country's inner cities.
A year of pent-up frustrations over COVID restrictions, combined with a range of political hot topics, is driving many on to the streets to voice their concerns.
Legitimate protest is, of course, a healthy component of any fully functioning democratic society.
But at a time of national emergency, as police are tasked with enforcing the government's health restrictions, there are few lawful avenues for mass public dissent.
And that has seen police increasingly forced to intervene to break up large-scale gatherings, often ending in some level of disorder.
For the police, they are being placed in an increasingly invidious position.
They can still rely on significant public support when breaking up the likes of an anti-lockdown protest.
But intervening to end a vigil for killed 33-year-old Sarah Everard, even when that vigil turns to protest, is far less clear cut.
Throw into the mix those ever present professional agitators, the anarchists and associated groups - who look to turn many peaceful protests into disorder - and the challenge for policing becomes ever more complex.
Public order policing teams are extremely well trained and able, most of the time, to factor in the minority who seek to cause trouble.
But those groups, no doubt frustrated themselves by the lack of opportunities to direct their rage in recent months, seem energised once again.
It's certainly true, for the most part, that those turning out to protest want to do so peacefully.
But some are all too easily swept up in the adrenaline-fuelled rush that comes with confrontation.
Many of the police officers I've heard from have spoken of this "perfect storm" of conditions which is fuelling the potential for more widespread disorder.
The frustrations over lockdown are being increasingly channelled in the direction of the police, the all too visible embodiment of the rules many see as an unnecessarily harsh restriction on their freedoms.
It then only takes a potent enough issue to drive people on to the streets in significant enough numbers.
On Sunday, it was outrage at the Police and Crime Bill's plans for greater policing powers around protests.
In the days ahead, it could be anti-lockdown protesters, women's rights activists, any one of a number of highly contentious issues strong enough to motivate people to break the COVID laws.
The scenes of police vehicles burning, their station under siege are potent images.
Seasoned observers know these events can sometimes act as a catalyst for further disorder.
Last week, dozens were arrested at women's rights protests over several days in London.
The peaceful vigils of the week before had given way to noisier, more robust demonstrations, with the ever present minority looking to stoke disorder.
The day before the violence in Bristol, 36 people were arrested in anti-lockdown protests in the capital.
In Avon and Somerset, in London and beyond, forces will be preparing as best they can for any follow-on protests.
Chair of the Police Federation John Apter told me: "The improving weather and easing of lockdown is not an excuse for further disorder. Police officers have an important job to do; to protect communities and keep people safe.
"Disorder in recent weeks has created a pressure cooker of circumstances. It's police officers who are facing the brunt of public anger and frustration; but violence against my colleagues is completely unacceptable and must stop now."
Perhaps the shocking nature of the scenes in Bristol will be enough to temper the enthusiasm for further disorder.
But the very real fear amongst those with experience in public order policing is that Sunday night's violence will simply embolden those determined to cause trouble.