A British police car (illustration).

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James Gourley / Shutterst / SIPA

A demonstration against a bill to strengthen the powers of the police in particular during non-violent rallies escalated on Sunday in Bristol, in the west of England.

Hundreds of people converged around the Bridewel police station.

Several officers were injured and two were hospitalized: one had a broken arm and the other suffered from broken ribs, Avon and Somerset police said in a statement on Twitter.

These scenes of violence took place as mass gatherings are currently banned in England due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Degraded vehicles and police station

"What began as a peaceful protest turned into a violent disorder with the action of a small minority," said Will White, a police official who spoke of "absolutely shameful" scenes.

“Officers have been subjected to considerable levels of violence and insults,” he added.

Two police vehicles were also set on fire and damage committed outside the police station.

Photos posted on the BBC website show a protester smashing the windows of the police station and fireworks erupting amid the crowd.

Angry scenes in Bristol tonight.


Two police officers have bones, after crowds gathered to protest against the Police & Crime Bill.


People scaled a police station, set vehicles on fire and threw fireworks into the crowd 👉 https://t.co/MVsFXlHn12 pic.twitter.com/4tvbGv7l7d

- BBC Radio Bristol (@bbcrb) March 21, 2021

"Unacceptable scenes" for the Minister of the Interior

Home Secretary Priti Patel denounced on Twitter "unacceptable scenes in Bristol".

“Violence and disorder [committed] by a minority will never be tolerated.

Our police are putting themselves in danger to protect us all, ”she wrote.

John Apter, national president of the Police Federation of England and Wales, spoke of "horrible scenes".

Bristol North West Labor MP Darren Jones said the attacks on the police were "totally unacceptable".

"We do not campaign for the right to demonstrate peacefully by setting fire to police vans or by tagging buildings," tweeted the parliamentarian.

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