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Bristol Copwatch

@bristolcopwatch.bsky.social
343 followers 254 following 532 posts

Independent grassroots police monitoring

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Bristol Copwatch @bristolcopwatch.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Our phone number is temporarily down! normal service should be resumed in the morning! In the meantime, you can reach us at bristolcopwatch@riseup.net #WeCopWatch
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Bristol Copwatch @bristolcopwatch.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
We're excited for Thursday! #JohnPegram from our team will speak on his experiences with predictive policing, its harms, and why community power to challenge not fit for purpose #AI systems is crucial to justice and accountability. Register below! #WeCopWatch
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Bristol Copwatch @bristolcopwatch.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
chuffed.org/project/2022... A Bristol antifascist is now facing prosecution after taking part in a successful day of antifascist action and must raise nearly £11,000 for legal defence. Please share and donate! #WeCopWatch
chuffed.org
Support a Bristol antifascist on trial
Support a Bristol antifascist facing charges for resisting far right attacks
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Bristol Copwatch @bristolcopwatch.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... Persistent, recurring problems in policing must change — the same patterns can’t continue. #WeCopWatch #databreach
bbc.co.uk
Former police worker sentenced after illegal use of data
Laura Dean purposefully used the police system Niche to carry out searches on several people.
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Bristol Copwatch @bristolcopwatch.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/somerse... breaches were recorded in 2022/23, 121 in 2023/24 and 48 in 2024/25. The most common problem was compromised information — 172 incidents, nearly two-thirds of the total. It will be interesting to see the 2026 statistics. #WeCopWatch
somersetlive.co.uk
Huge number of data breaches at Avon and Somerset Police revealed
More than 250 data breaches took place in the past three years
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Bristol Copwatch @bristolcopwatch.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... She will be contacting us asking for help with complaints about the failures of local policing next. Boom chish. #WeCopWatch
bbc.co.uk
Avon and Somerset PC banned over 'derogatory' WhatsApp comments
The female student officer made a series of comments in a WhatsApp group chat with almost 100 members.
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Bristol Copwatch @bristolcopwatch.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
We're sharing a fundraiser for member, caseworker and speaker #JohnPegram, diagnosed with #PTSD from a 2021 #databreach caused by police. After over three years of fighting, he needs funds for #EMDR while his income recovers. #shareanddonate #WeCopWatch www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding...
justgiving.com
Help raise £1000 to Fund EMDR Therapy for PTSD Recovery – JustGiving Crowdfunding
Iʼm raising money to Fund EMDR Therapy for PTSD Recovery. Support this JustGiving Crowdfunding Page.
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Bristol Copwatch @bristolcopwatch.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
www.4wardeveruk.org/trews-law-ur... Campaigners are urging MPs to pass new legislation that would automatically review past cases handled by police officers once they’re jailed — a move aimed at preventing miscarriages of justice. #WeCopWatch www.4wardeveruk.org/trews-law-ur...?
4wardeveruk.org
‘Trew’s Law’ urges review of jailed cops to prevent miscarriages
Lawmakers are being urged to enact a new piece of legislation that would see police officers who are sent to prison immediately having their past cases reviewed to prevent miscarriages of justice.
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Bristol Copwatch @bristolcopwatch.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Avon & Somerset have a reputation for vindictive tactics and harassment of activists and campaigners who stand up for justice and oppose far‑right hatred. Support a Bristol antifascist on trial — please share and donate. #WeCopWatch #shareanddonate chuffed.org/project/2022...
chuffed.org
Support a Bristol antifascist on trial
Support a Bristol antifascist facing charges for resisting far right attacks
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Bristol Copwatch @bristolcopwatch.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
We're hosting a know-your-rights workshop tomorrow! #JohnPegram will lead a family stop-and-search & bystander intervention workshop well known for his powerful speaking and lived experience—he's been stopped 50+ times and fighting for his rights since 2018. #WeCopWatch
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Bristol Copwatch @bristolcopwatch.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
What the failure of predictive policing reveals. rebootdemocracy.ai/blog/why-goo... #WeCopWatch #StopAutomatedRacism
rebootdemocracy.ai
Why “Good Guys” Shouldn’t Use AI like the “Bad Guys”: The Failure of Predictive Policing
This essay argues that predictive policing continues to fail not because police departments lack data, but because they are using the wrong kind of data, in the wrong way. Applying low-stakes…
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Bristol Copwatch @bristolcopwatch.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding... "There is so much more to me than a mental health diagnosis, and more to life than struggle. Everything changes, and nothing is permanent. " #PTSD #WeCopWatch
justgiving.com
Help raise £1000 to Rebuild My Life: EMDR Therapy for PTSD – JustGiving Crowdfunding
Iʼm raising money to Rebuild My Life: EMDR Therapy for PTSD. Support this JustGiving Crowdfunding Page.
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Bristol Copwatch @bristolcopwatch.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
We're excited for our #predictivepolicing event with #ORG and #Liberty! #JohnPegram will cover the tech's harms, his fight for rights, #OffenderManagementApp and #ThinkFamilyEducation. Come unpack the tech and oppose oppressive surveillance. #WeCopWatch
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Bristol Copwatch @bristolcopwatch.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
www.headfirstbristol.co.uk/whats-on/st-... #CommunitiesAgainstRacism 19/9/26 #JohnPegram of our core team is hosting a know your rights workshop for parents and families! It’s a vital event and we look forward to seeing you there! #WeCopWatch
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Bristol Copwatch @bristolcopwatch.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
"Nine people died during or after contact with Avon and Somerset police last year – the joint fourth highest in the country." #WeCopWatch #SayTheirNames www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol...
bristolpost.co.uk
Nine people died after contact with Avon & Somerset Police
Avon and Somerset Police say they take safeguarding duties seriously
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Bristol Copwatch @bristolcopwatch.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
www.wired.com/story/britis... “There’s a lot of bias in the police’s data, there’s too many issues for it to be done ethically and fairly.” This report is essential reading. Our next event on predictive policing is in October this year. #WeCopWatch #stopautomatedracism #databreach
wired.com
British Police Built a Sprawling Crime-Prediction Machine. Some Results Couldn’t Be Trusted
As UK police embrace the AI revolution, a WIRED investigation reveals the messy inside story of one region’s experiment with predictive analytics.
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Bristol Copwatch @bristolcopwatch.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
www.youtube.com/watch Vigil for #ProfessorJasonArday 17/2/26 College Green, Bristol #RestInPower #BristolCommunityAction
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Bristol Copwatch @bristolcopwatch.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
www.gofundme.com/f/in-memory-... We are at the #Bristol vigil for Professor #JasonArday tomorrow night from 6pm. Help support the family by sharing and donating to this fundraiser. #BlackLivesMatter
gofundme.com
Donate to In Memory of Professor Jason Atta Kwei Arday, organized by Sir Patrick Vernon OBE
Help us support the family of Professor Jason Arday with funeral a… Sir Patrick Vernon OBE needs your support for In Memory of Professor Jason Atta Kwei Arday
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Bristol Copwatch @bristolcopwatch.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
It's important to acknowledge the trauma and harm caused by police, which can erode trust and impact mental health. This #FAQ from #PTSDRecovery highlights these issues. #WeCopWatch
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Bristol Copwatch @bristolcopwatch.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/uk-worl... Mark Curzon was sexually assaulted by former inspector Gerard Hutchings after being arrested on suspicion of shoplifting. #WeCopWatch
bristolpost.co.uk
Man assaulted by police officer gets him jailed for 10 years
Mark Curzon was sexually assaulted by former inspector Gerard Hutchings after being arrested on suspicion of shoplifting
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Bristol Copwatch @bristolcopwatch.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
"[The emails] commented that the defendant was the only competent and effective member of that team." Wood, who is white, claimed to be a man of mixed heritage living in St Pauls in his complaint messages." Oh. #WeCopWatch www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Bristol police officer sentenced for false allegations about boss
Jack Wood sent a string of emails to public figures claiming his superior was failing in her role.
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Bristol Copwatch @bristolcopwatch.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
#JackWood is now making legal threats via email as we have posted about him claiming harassment which being honest is ironic. #WeCopWatch
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Reposted by Bristol Copwatch
The Canary @thecanaryuk.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Voters want Palantir out of the NHS, and ministers may have a good excuse to make that happen in the next 12 months By @willem-moore.bsky.social
thecanary.co
NHS to reevaluate Palantir effectiveness following pushback
Voters want Palantir out of the NHS, and ministers may have a good excuse to make that happen in the next 12 months
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Bristol Copwatch @bristolcopwatch.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol... Well, well, well. What it doesn't say here is he contacted us too. He was even thinking about coming to our last event. We spoke to #JackWood about his complaints. We didn't know he was a cop. What happened to complaints forwarded to the #IOPC? #WeCopWatch
bristolpost.co.uk
Former police officer who harassed colleague avoids jail
His victim said the harassment 'destroyed my joy of policing'
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Bristol Copwatch @bristolcopwatch.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
We have been contacted by the press about this vital report and investigation. If you or any families you know have been impacted by #ThinkFamilyEducation or #OMA we would be happy to put you in touch. The Police are accountable. #stopautomatedracism www.wired.com/story/britis...
wired.com
British Police Built a Sprawling Crime-Prediction Machine. Some Results Couldn’t Be Trusted
As UK police embrace the AI revolution, a WIRED investigation reveals the messy inside story of one region’s experiment with predictive analytics.
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Bristol Copwatch @bristolcopwatch.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
"This case, LMN and XYZ v Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Constabulary IPT/21/199/C and IPT/21/203/C concerned the installation of two covert surveillance devices, a video camera and a microphone..." very interesting reading. #WeCopWatch #RIPA insights.doughtystreet.co.uk/post/102nfhs...
insights.doughtystreet.co.uk
Hannah Smith acts in first Investigatory Powers Tribunal decision on the meaning of residential premises and intrusive surveillance under RIPA (via Passle)
In an OPEN judgment handed down on 27 July 2026, the Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT) provided important guidance on: The meaning of ‘residential pre...
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Bristol Copwatch @bristolcopwatch.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... A police officer has been sacked without notice for sending "disturbing" racist and misogynistic memes, including one joking about domestic abuse. #WeCopWatch
bbc.co.uk
Bridgwater PC who sent racist messages barred from policing
PC Luke Hurst was found to have committed gross misconduct and was dismissed without notice.
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Bristol Copwatch @bristolcopwatch.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
"His kindness and depth as a human struck a chord with all of us and his presence and strong voice lit up a room when he told the story of his journey." Say it louder for the people at the back. #BlackLivesMatter #AhmedFofanah #RestInPower #PeopleLookUp copwatchersorg.wordpress.com/2022/08/31/o...
copwatchersorg.wordpress.com
Our dear friend Ahmed
By all of us at Bristol Copwatch On the 4th of August 2022, our dear friend and fellow cop watcher Ahmed Fofanah tragically and suddenly left us. All of us within the Bristol Copwatch core organisi…
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Bristol Copwatch @bristolcopwatch.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Today would be our dear friend and comrade #AhmedFofanah's 46th birthday. He was our representative on the community engagement panel for The #CoPOWeR project. He went to #Westminster and spoke his truth in his strong voice and we were all so very proud. #RestInPower
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Bristol Copwatch @bristolcopwatch.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
www.libertyhumanrights.org.uk/issue/police... Police use of AI: constrained and cautious or out of control? #AIEthics #Accountability #transparency #WeCopWatch
libertyhumanrights.org.uk
Police use of AI: constrained and cautious or out of control? - Liberty
Did you know Liberty offers free human rights legal advice?
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Reposted by Bristol Copwatch
WIRED @wired.com · 28/06/2026
The Think Family Database holds records on close to half a million people who live in the city of Bristol, England. For many years, few of them knew anything about it.
wrd.cm
British Police Built a Sprawling Crime-Prediction Machine. Some Results Couldn’t Be Trusted
As UK police embrace the AI revolution, a WIRED investigation reveals the messy inside story of one region’s experiment with predictive analytics.
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Bristol Copwatch @bristolcopwatch.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
www.youtube.com/watch "#AI needs to be injected into the police like heroin into the blood stream." Why would a "top" police officer say such a thing? there's nothing like us and them divides is there Andy? We've been here before. #WeCopWatch
youtube.com
Head of Bristol police Andy Marsh on racist stop searches
We asked Bristol’s Chief Constable Andy Marsh why Black Bristolians are nearly 8 times more likely to be stopped by police. One answer, Andy, say it with us: R A C I S M
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Bristol Copwatch @bristolcopwatch.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
We have closed our #SafetyNotSurveillance campaign on #Chuffed and Donors will be refunded. Thanks for your support! This isn't the end of our fight against #ASP predictive policing. Stay updated on legal challenges against the #OffenderManagementApp and our next event in September. #WeCopWatch
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Bristol Copwatch @bristolcopwatch.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crim... Oh. #WeCopWatch #FormerChiefRacist
independent.co.uk
AI needs to be injected into police ‘like heroin into bloodstream’, says top officer
Andy Marsh, from the College of Policing, said he hopes AI can make the task of preparing prosecution case files a ‘problem of the past’ in just two years
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Bristol Copwatch @bristolcopwatch.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
thebristolcable.org/2026/06/bris... Bristol City Council's data tools may have incorrectly flagged some individuals as at risk of child exploitation. #EndThinkSurveillance #WeCopWatch
thebristolcable.org
Revealed: Bristol data tools risked wrongly flagging child victims - The Bristol Cable
Bristol City Council data tools used to predict risk of child exploitation may have wrongly identified individuals
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Bristol Copwatch @bristolcopwatch.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
Marsh claims effective #AI should be “injected like heroin.” Operational efficiency seems to take precedence over our human rights. #JohnPegram from our team knows this well. #WeCopWatch www.wired.com/story/britis...
wired.com
British Police Built a Sprawling Crime-Prediction Machine. Some Results Couldn’t Be Trusted
As UK police embrace the AI revolution, a WIRED investigation reveals the messy inside story of one region’s experiment with predictive analytics.
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Bristol Copwatch @bristolcopwatch.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
libertyinvestigates.org.uk/articles/pol... U.K. police forces are adopting handheld facial recognition tech in preparation for a possible nationwide rollout. #WeCopWatch
libertyinvestigates.org.uk
Police expand use of facial recognition apps - Liberty Investigates
UK police forces are embracing handheld facial recognition technology ahead of a potential national rollout
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Bristol Copwatch @bristolcopwatch.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
www.thecanary.co/uk/news/2026... British police face allegations of AI-generated false evidence. #WeCopWatch
thecanary.co
British police accused of fabricating evidence with AI
In the same week that the government announced 'PoliceAI, a police officer has been accused of using AI to fabricate evidence
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Bristol Copwatch @bristolcopwatch.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crim... A black teenager returned home to discover his mother had attempted suicide and #MetPolice arrested him. What was that about two tier policing again? #WeCopWatch
independent.co.uk
A teen came home to find his mum had attempted suicide. Then police arrested him
Daryl McLune is suing for race discrimination and false imprisonment
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Bristol Copwatch @bristolcopwatch.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
www.policeconduct.gov.uk/news/bristol... #sayhisname #NicholasStone #WeCopWatch
policeconduct.gov.uk
Bristol protest witness appeal as IOPC investigates man’s death | Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC)
Some of these cookies are essential to make our site work and others help us to improve by giving us some insight into how the site is being used.
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Reposted by Bristol Copwatch
Bristol Copwatch @bristolcopwatch.bsky.social · 17/05/2026
We are at the #SumudCollective launch event this June! Look out for our stall and of course #JohnPegram of our core team covering a know your rights workshop! It's going to be a great event and we as always stand with Palestine. #WeCopWatch #FreePalestine www.eventbrite.com/e/the-sumud-...
eventbrite.com
The Sumud Collective Launch Event
Join us at the Palestine Museum & Cultural Centre for an afternoon of connection, well-being, education and fun.
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Bristol Copwatch @bristolcopwatch.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
novaramedia.com/2026/06/08/p... Hampshire Police is notoriously racist. Against black people. Don't believe the far-right hype. #WeCopWatch
novaramedia.com
Police Force With ‘Anti-White Bias’ Five Times More Likely to Stop Black People
A police force accused of ‘anti-white bias’ over its handling of the murder of Henry Nowak is actually five times more likely to stop and search black people.
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Bristol Copwatch @bristolcopwatch.bsky.social · 24/05/2026
bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0r2wk48n7xo Well well well. We know all about what's happened to #JackWood. The #IOPC should take a good look at the backlash from his own. #WeCopWatch
bbc.co.uk
Former Bristol PC charged with harassment and stalking
Jack Wood is accused of sending emails and social media messages containing "fabricated complaints".
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Bristol Copwatch @bristolcopwatch.bsky.social · 17/05/2026
If you missed the #automatedracism report last year, it is still absolutely essential reading. #JohnPegram of our core team discusses the #OffenderManagementApp and its impact. We are challenging the police's unlawful use of #AI. #stopautomatedracism www.amnesty.org.uk/knowledge-hu...
amnesty.org.uk
Automated Racism
@AmnestyUK found out that 3/4 of police forces across the UK are using technology to try to “predict crime” - and almost no one knows about it. Learn more:
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Bristol Copwatch @bristolcopwatch.bsky.social · 17/05/2026
We are at the #SumudCollective launch event this June! Look out for our stall and of course #JohnPegram of our core team covering a know your rights workshop! It's going to be a great event and we as always stand with Palestine. #WeCopWatch #FreePalestine www.eventbrite.com/e/the-sumud-...
eventbrite.com
The Sumud Collective Launch Event
Join us at the Palestine Museum & Cultural Centre for an afternoon of connection, well-being, education and fun.
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Bristol Copwatch @bristolcopwatch.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
chuffed.org/project/1285... Police and surveillance have no place in schools. We're creating a film to highlight Think Family Education and the technology's harms on families. Please share and donate! 🙏 #WeCopWatch #EndThinkSurveillance
chuffed.org
Surveillance is not safe guarding
Think Family Education (TFE)  is an app that has been in use in schools for several years, in fact The Bristol Cable first reported on TFE in 2021.  The app is connected to a council and police database.
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Bristol Copwatch @bristolcopwatch.bsky.social · 09/05/2026
"Lack of transparency and biased training data mean these tools are not fit for purpose. If we can’t fix them, we should ditch them." From 2020, 6 years on more relevant that ever. #stopautomatedracism www.technologyreview.com/2020/07/17/1...
technologyreview.com
Predictive policing algorithms are racist. They need to be dismantled.
Lack of transparency and biased training data mean these tools are not fit for purpose. If we can’t fix them, we should ditch them.
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Bristol Copwatch @bristolcopwatch.bsky.social · 09/05/2026
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025... It looks very tragically like the second police killing here this year. #EndTaserTorture #WeCopWatch
theguardian.com
Teenager was Tasered by police before being killed by car on M5
Logan Smith, 18, got out of ambulance driving him to hospital in Somerset, says official watchdog
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Bristol Copwatch @bristolcopwatch.bsky.social · 03/05/2026
It’s great to see a politician holding a historically corrupt, violent and racist police force accountable for their extreme violence against the mentally ill. #StandYourGround #WeCopWatch www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Zack Polanski stands by concerns over police response to Golders Green attack
The Green Party leader previously apologised for "sharing a tweet in haste" about the knife attack on Wednesday.
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