Two thirds of those arrested at Bristol anti-immigration riots involved in domestic abuse reports | Bristol Live

Avon and Somerset Police confirmed the statistics following an FOI request

17:27, 18 Aug 2025Updated 10:25, 19 Aug 2025

The image depicts a line of police officers in riot gear standing on a street. They are dressed in black uniforms, helmets, and protective vests, maintaining a vigilant posture. In the background, several police vans are parked, marked with bright yellow and blue stripes. The setting appears to be an outdoor area, likely during a police operation or public event, with trees visible in the backdrop. The overall atmosphere suggests a heightened state of alertness. No text is visible in the image.
Police in full riot gear stand in a line against protesters during a night of high tensions, disorder and violence.(Image: PAUL GILLIS / Reach PLC)
AI Description: The image depicts a line of police officers in riot gear standing on a street. They are dressed in black uniforms, helmets, and protective vests, maintaining a vigilant posture. In the background, several police vans are parked, marked with bright yellow and blue stripes. The setting appears to be an outdoor area, likely during a police operation or public event, with trees visible in the backdrop. The overall atmosphere suggests a heightened state of alertness. No text is visible in the image.

More than two thirds of the people arrested for disorder when an anti-immigration demonstration in Bristol turned violent last summer had previous contact with police over reports of domestic abuse. The demonstrators had gathered under the slogan ‘Save Our Kids’, following the murders of three school children in Southport.

The protesters expressed the intention to gather in Castle Park on Saturday, August 3, 2024, and then march to a converted hotel in Redcliffe that is being paid by the Government to house people seeking asylum. There were violent clashes between those protesters and police, and also with counter-protesters who also gathered in the park, and on Bristol Bridge and Baldwin Street.

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Avon and Somerset police answered a request under the Freedom of Information Act sent to all forces which had experienced similar violence and made arrests. Nationally, the research showed that across the country, two out of every five people arrested for taking part in those riots had been previously involved in reports to the police for domestic abuse.

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Bristol had the highest percentage of all the 21 police forces that provided information about arrests at 27 towns and cities that experienced disorder last August. In Bristol, Avon and Somerset police said that, as of March 20 this year, they had made 60 arrests of people involved in the violence at Castle Park, Bristol Bridge and in Redcliffe.

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Of those 60, a total of 41 have had previous 'flags' of domestic abuse on at least one or more other occasions - which is a total of more than 68 per cent or more than two-thirds. Previous offences in the ‘domestic abuse’ category could be anything from ABH and GBH to stalking, breaches of restraint and non-molestation orders, controlling coercive behaviour and criminal damage linked to their or ex-partner’s domestic homes or property.

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Under the Freedom of Information Act request, Avon and Somerset gave further details, but crucially did not share information about outcomes of those reports. A police spokesperson said that 41 of the 60 arrested around the events of August 3 last year had 'been involved in at least one other occurrence with a 'flag' for domestic abuse.

But the police said that because the total number of 'flags' - reports of incidents - was 413, it would take too long for the police to establish more details of what those flags were, and whether those arrested on August 3 were the alleged perpetrators, witnesses or victims of those reports, and what the outcomes were in terms of any charges and convictions.

READ MORE: Far-right protest updates as violence breaks out in Bristol city centreREAD MORE: 'Amid the chaos of far-right protests and violence I saw the best of Bristol'

Of the 60 arrested, at least 48 had been convicted and sentenced for their part in the disorder on August 3 last year, with most receiving prison sentences. The previous convictions, reports or involvements for domestic abuse offences is telling, according to Isabella Lowenthal-Isaacs, the policy manager at Women’s Aid, who said there was clearly a link between those taking part in far-right protests and domestic abuse reports.

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“A year on from the terrible Southport attacks on young girls, and as conversation about far-right protests once again starts to appear in the media, it is tempting to treat these events as isolated,” she told The Guardian.

The image depicts a group of police officers, some mounted on horses, wearing high-visibility vests labeled "POLICE." The scene is set outdoors, surrounded by greenery, suggesting a public area. Several officers are in close formation, with a few police vehicles visible in the background, illuminated with lights. The overall atmosphere appears to be one of law enforcement presence, likely in response to an event or gathering. The text on the vehicles includes a code, "QP 10C," indicating a designation or unit number. The lighting suggests it may be early evening or late afternoon.
Avon and Somerset police on horseback outside a converted hotel in Redcliffe on August 3, 2024(Image: PAUL GILLIS / Reach PLC)
AI Description: The image depicts a group of police officers, some mounted on horses, wearing high-visibility vests labeled "POLICE." The scene is set outdoors, surrounded by greenery, suggesting a public area. Several officers are in close formation, with a few police vehicles visible in the background, illuminated with lights. The overall atmosphere appears to be one of law enforcement presence, likely in response to an event or gathering. The text on the vehicles includes a code, "QP 10C," indicating a designation or unit number. The lighting suggests it may be early evening or late afternoon.

“However, the reality is that these acts of violence are part of a wider pattern rooted in the same dynamics that drive domestic abuse and violence against women and girls: control, coercion, and misogyny,” she added.

A Home Office spokesperson said: “The scale of violence and abuse suffered by women and girls in this country is nothing less than a national emergency. That’s why we have pledged to halve violence against women and girls in a decade, and will set out our transformative strategy to achieve that goal in the coming months.”

* This article has been updated upon receipt of more information from Avon and Somerset police