Mass brawl erupts outside Bristol pub over 'two groups with differing views'

Roughly 50 people were involved in a street brawl outside a Bristol pub on Sunday afternoon. Police attended the scene outside the Red Lion Pub on Whitehall Road at roughly 3.30pm after "two groups with differing views" clashed. An eyewitness told BristolLive that the pub and its patrons were "being hassled by a bunch of far-right people" with flags and covering their faces.

Photographs from the incident show a group wearing dark clothes, mostly with hoods raised, waving Saint George's Cross flags in front of the pub's entrance and windows. Footage obtained by BristolLive also captured a large crowd, their faces concealed, exchanging blows and launching kicks at others whilst officers worked to break up the confrontation.

A black van with a Union Jack on the front bonnet was also parked directly outside the pub.

Officers intervened to prevent a breach of the peace, with both groups dispersing by around 4.30pm. Whilst no arrests were made, police are reviewing CCTV and body-worn camera recordings.

An Avon and Somerset Police spokesperson said: "Police attended a disturbance involving about 50 people in Whitehall Road, Redfield, Bristol, at about 3.30pm on Sunday 15 February.

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"Two groups with differing views were involved in an altercation in the street, and officers stepped in to prevent a breach of the peace. The groups dispersed at about 4.30pm.

"No arrests were made, but officers are reviewing CCTV and body-worn video footage. Any offences identified will be fully investigated.

"If you have information or footage which shows criminal offences, please call 101 and give the reference 5226031153."