AVON and Somerset Police officers were deployed to control outbreaks of disorder in Bristol city centre last night and in the early hours of this morning.
A number of shops and vehicles were damaged and main roads were closed to help officers take control of what was described as a "volatile situation".
Officers urged people to avoid the city centre and asked people in the city centre to leave the area and go home.
Chief superintendent Jon Stratford said: "We have been working closely with other forces and criminal behavious like this will not be tolerated.
"We were hoping this type of disorder would not come to Bristol. However, we have plenty of units on duty ready to respond.
"Our primary concern is to keep people safe and minimise disruption to residents, motorists and local businesses.
"We will always respect the right of any individual or group who take part in a peaceful protest.
"But when disorder occurs, we have a duty to the wider community to do everything we can to calm the situation and restore order and prevent criminality."
Various parts of London have been hit by widespread rioting and looting, and reports suggest similar scenes broke out in Birmingham and Liverpool.
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