A journalist from British newspaper the Mirror was slammed into a wall by police in Bristol at a ‘Kill the Bill’ protest there on Friday 26 March.

Matthew Dresch tweeted: “Police assaulted me at the Bristol protest even though I told them I was from the press. I was respectfully observing what was happening and posed no threat to any of the officers.”

Avon and Somerset police tweeted: “We’re aware of a video showing a journalist being confronted by officers during last night’s protest in Bristol. We’re making efforts to contact him. A free press is a cornerstone of our democracy a we fully respect the media’s vital role in reporting events fairly & accurately.”

The southwestern English city of Bristol has seen a series of protests against the 'police, crime, sentencing and courts bill', which would allow police to impose conditions on peaceful protests, including those they deem too loud or a nuisance.

Mirror journalist assaulted by police in Bristol overnight during ‘Kill the Bill’ protest.

Matthew Dresch tweeted: “Police assaulted me at the Bristol protest even though I told them I was from the press. I was respectfully observing what was happening and posed no threat to any of the officers. I have muted the latter part of the video to spare you all the pain of hearing my shrill voice.”