Police say that actions taken during their robust operation in Bristol city centre overnight were fully justified.

Protestors took to the streets after police carried out an operation to arrest four offenders who represented “a very real threat to the local community” from a property in Cheltenham Road, Stokes Croft.

Officers also seized a number of items following the arrest – including petrol bombs – which are currently being forensically examined.

Acting on intelligence provided during the day, officers rolled out well-rehearsed plans at 9.15pm last night, closing Cheltenham Road before forcing entry into the building.

Three people were arrested on suspicion of public order offences and another person on suspicion of threats to cause criminal damage with intent to endanger life.

Following the operation, which was completed swiftly and effectively, groups of protestors began to gather in Cheltenham Road and surrounding streets in the Stokes Croft area and refused to disperse when asked by police officers.

As minor fires were started and bottles, bricks and other objects were hurled at police, additional officers were bought in to assist their colleagues.

Assistant Chief Constable Rod Hansen said:” Residents have called us to several incidents in the property over the past few days. Yesterday there was a very real threat to the local community from the petrol bombs that were being made and we needed to take positive action.

“The safety of the public is paramount in any situation of this kind and we took the decision to carry out a swift arrest operation, following intelligence received about the criminal intentions of those who were occupying the building,”

“The fact that we seized petrol bombs illustrates the seriousness of this situation and the reason why we took this positive action.

“When 300 people congregated and a small minority from that group started small fires and throwing bottles, stones and other items at officers, we used well-rehearsed plans, which involved the use of officers from neighbouring forces to control what had become a volatile situation,” said ACC Hansen.

Minor incidents continued until about 4am when the groups finally dispersed.

During the operation police made eight arrests.

Eight police officers and a number of protestors were injured and required hospital treatment. None of the injuries are believed to be serious.

Around 160 officers were involved in the high-profile operation, which included 66 officers drafted in from neighbouring forces.