Good Morning Britain's Susanna Reid slammed violent protests that took place on Sunday night in Bristol after watching harrowing footage of clashes between police and protestors.
Speaking alongside co host Ben Shephard, Susanna branded the violence "absolutely shocking" and expressed sympathy for the police, several of whom were injured as the demonstrators rallied against plans to give the police more powers to deal with non-violent protests.
"Absolutely shocking scenes from Bristol, from that protest descending into violence," she began.
"We are going to discuss what on earth went wrong and what can be done about it with the Mayor of Bristol, Marvin Rees.
"The police currently in a very difficult situation, having to enforce laws and this protest all about new laws, that would, ironically, restrict protests.
"Something that should be protected, the peaceful right to protest, but these scenes are hideous for any of us to see, and awful for the police there in Bristol."
Ben added: "The bill is about restricting non-violent protests, I don't think anybody would argue that a protest that gets this aggressive and violent needs to be restricted and controlled.
"Unfortunately a lot of the police last night came under attack, and a number have ended up in hospital.
"Those pictures are really distressing," he remarked.
"Yes, disgusting scenes," agreed Susanna.
Footage of the clash showed a police van on fire as anti-policing bill protesters attacked officers with missiles, while the heads of police unions said officers suffered "suspected broken arms and ribs" as they were pelted with objects in Bristol.
Thousands of 'Kill the Bill' protesters rallied against plans to give the police more powers to deal with non-violent protests.
Police said missiles had been thrown at them, including fireworks, and the head of the Bristol officers' union said about half a dozen were injured.
Rioters were ripping fencing and scaffolding from a nearby building site and using them to push back against police lines, according to eyewitnesses.
* Good Morning Britain airs weekdays on ITV at 6am
