§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of Avon concerning the outbreak of rioting between black and white youths in Bristol on 29 and 30 January; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WhitelawThe chief constable has already provided the following information about the incidents. On 28 January a fight between two young people outside a school was followed by scuffles between youths from the Barton Hill and St. Paul's areas of Bristol, both on that day and 29 January. The police were able to deal with this without undue difficulty.
On 30 January, the police sought and received the cooperation of local community leaders in seeking to calm the situation. The police dispersed groups of youths from the two areas who none the less sought to attack each other in the evening. At about 10.20 pm, a group of about 50 youths returning to the St. Paul's area encountered and attacked two community constables, one of whom was seriously injured. Additional officers arrived quickly and dispersed the group, although two petrol bombs were thrown. The area was calm by midnight and has remained so, apart from an isolated incident in which a petrol bomb was thrown on 31 January.
The police are continuing a vigorous investigation of the incidents. So far, 18 people have been charged with offences. The chief constable has emphasised that the community at large, who are co-operating with the investigation, condemn these acts of some of their young people, and in particular regret the attack on the community constable.
§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of Avon as to how many police officers were injured in the disorders that took place in Bristol on 29 and 30 January; what injuries they sustained; and what was the total cost of the police operations concerned.
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§ Mr. WhitelawThe chief constable informs me that 20 officers were injured. One was seriously injured in the face and head, one had a toe broken, five sustained cuts, and 13 bruises. The cost of the police action has not been calculated separately, since no special operation was mounted.