Police chiefs and key community figures have agreed that the actions of police officers who arrested a man following an assault in Bristol last week was 'correct and proportionate'.
Further meetings have taken place between police and community leaders following the incident on Friday evening, which saw a teenager assaulted by a baseball bat in a disturbance, and a 30-year-old man was arrested by police.
Video footage of the aftermath of that arrest was shared widely on social media, and showed a crowd gathered around the police at the scene.
Community leaders, including the mayor Marvin Rees, spent time in the St Pauls area of the city where the incident took place, to talk to local people, and have held a series of meetings with senior police officers to assess what happened, view videos of the incident, including the body-worn cameras carried by the police officers involved.
One police officer was struck in the face attempting to arrest the 30-year-old, who has not been named by police, and a statement from the police today said he had suffered a triple fracture of his left cheekbone.
"He has been discharged from hospital but further medical treatment is expected to be necessary," said a police spokesperson.
The 30-year-old arrested on suspicion of causing GBH and assaulting an emergency worker was later released on conditional bail while inquiries continue.
And the 18-year-old male arrested on suspicion of affray has also been released on bail.
Police patrols in the area have since been increased.
Supt Andy Bennett, of Avon and Somerset police, said a series of meetings with community leaders had taken place, after initial discussions between the police and key stakeholders were held on Saturday about the incident and 'we agreed this week to provide further information and greater context about what happened'.
"Our criminal investigation into the disorder on Friday night is continuing, with CCTV footage and other videos being closely analysed to help us with building up a complete picture of what occurred both before and after the police were called," said Supt Bennett.
"We’ve been in close dialogue with key community figures since then about what has happened and have held a number of meetings in recent days to answer any questions they had. The final one was held yesterday (Wednesday, June 2).
“The responses have been positive and reflect their understanding that the officers’ actions were both correct and proportionate to the situation.
“We are pleased with the productive nature of these meetings and we always wish to provide the greatest transparency about our work. We will continue to engage with all our partners across a wide range of topics for the benefit of the whole community," he added.
Anyone who witnessed the disorder happened in St Pauls on Friday night and has not yet contacted the police is asked to call 101 and give the call-handler reference number 5220116859. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be called anonymously on 0800 555111.
