News / avon and somerset police
Police to apologise after unlawful raid on student flat
Police have admitted that they raided the wrong building during an operation to arrest squatters in the Old City.
The force say they will now apologise after smashing down the door of a student flat soon after 6.30am in the morning and keeping the residents detained inside, despite not having a warrant.
Students living in the property on High Street say that they have since “felt vulnerable in our own home and have experienced significant levels of anxiety”.
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An Avon & Somerset Police spokesperson admitted that officers forced entry into the flat above Art Eternal “which was not covered by the order” granted by Bristol magistrates the day before the raid on June 4.
“We received an official complaint relating to this incident and our professional standards department has carried out an immediate review of the circumstances.
“The review confirmed officers did not have lawful powers to enter this specific property and as such we’ll be contacting the complainant in due course to explain what happened and to apologise.”
“We’ll implement any learnings coming out of this incident and we’ll make contact with the owners of the property in relation to the cost of repairs for any damage caused.”
The students living in the flat that was raided by the police told Bristol24/7 that they are “pleased to hear that Avon & Somerset Police have accepted that the raid on our flat was unlawful”.
In a statement, they said: “We look forward to receiving their apology and hope that it is proportionate to the emotional distressed caused.
“Since the raid last week, we have felt vulnerable in our own home and have experienced significant levels of anxiety.
“It is also concerning to see another example of police misusing their powers, and whilst we are grateful for the apology, we feel that the police need to take a more considered approach to ensure incidents like this do not happen again in the city.”
Police forces from across the south of England and Wales took part in the early morning raid – photo: Martin Booth
Ani Stafford-Townsend, the Green Party councillor for Central ward, said: “This is the second time within a few months that we’ve learned of homes raided apparently without cause and in a heavy handed, and frankly frightening manner.
“This causes me to be concerned that others are also experiencing the same overreach by Avon & Somerset Constabulary but who find it harder to get their voices heard.”
Main photo & video: Martin Booth
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