Firework-throwing Bristol students protest against tuition fee hikes

Hundreds of protestors gathered in the city of Bristol in protest at the tuition fee hike – with some even throwing FIREWORKS.

Police were forced to shut two streets as around one thousand students congregated with placards – grid locking traffic in the busy centre for hours.

Some demonstrators used scarves and masks to cover their faces and pelted officers with eggs and lit fireworks while others protested peacefully.

One controversial sign carried by protested stated: ”Cameron is a c***” while another referred to previous London riots and asked: ”has anyone got a fire extinguisher?”.

A BBC satellite van was attacked and damaged by angry demonstrators – who began marching just after 1pm today – as mounted police and ten riot vans tried to control the crowds.

Furious student Jake Edwards, 17, from Bristol, who studies music technology and design from Bristol said he was driven to protest after being ”let down” by Liberal Democrat promises.

He said: ”If I want to go to University I can’t because I don’t come from a rich family. The Conservatives are creating an elitist society.

”When I finish college I’ll probably have to work but I want to study Music.”

Economics student David Summers,19, from Bristol University was also frustrated.

He said: ”Tuition fees are already too high, so what is this government doing now pricing people out of education.

”It’s a real let down. They have the chance to turn this decision around and they must else these sorts of protests will go on being entirely justified.”

Onlooker Paul Riley, 44, said he sympathised with the protesters but could see why the hike had been planned.

He said: ”You do have to feel sorry for what some of these kids who are talented will have to pay to get an education.

”Cuts have to be made though and it’s just bad timing-in a generation things might be different again.

”Fortunately all of this protest seemed peaceful though.”

Officers were forced to close Park Street and Queen’s Road in the Clifton area of Bristol.

Students from Bristol University, the University of the West of England, City of Bristol College, St Brendan’s Sixth Form College and Bristol Grammar School were present at the protest.

Representatives from Unison, the National Union of Teachers and Unite also attended.

The protesters marched from Bristol University’s Senate House – where they assembled – to the Wills Memorial building.

A spokesman for Avon & Somerset police confirmed there had been a number of incidents during the protests.

He said: ”One man has been arrested for throwing a firework. There are a proportionate number of officers at the scene.”