Police have defended their actions after riots broke out in Bristol at a supermarket protest.
A number of police officers were hurt in the scuffles at the Tesco store in the Stokes Croft area of the city overnight.
Assistant chief constable at Avon and Somerset Constabulary Rod Hansen stated 300 protestors were in attendance at the Tesco store and some started throwing bottles at officers, while petrol bombs were also confiscated at the scene.
"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," he said.
Assistant chief constable Hansen added the positive action was due to the petrol bombs being found and the belief of the force there could be a threat to the public unless the protest was brought under control.
None of the injuries sustained by any of the protestors, or the eight police officers who were hurt, were thought to be serious and the last groups dispersed from the area at around 04:00 BST.
Local resident Duncan Birmingham told the Guardian the new Tesco Express store had been "trashed" in the riots.
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