Public meeting over drugs turf war

Armed police have been patrolling the streets

Police are to meet concerned members of the public to discuss the growing threat of gang violence in inner city Bristol.

Last week Avon and Somerset Police announced that armed officers were mounting nightly patrols in St Paul's, after convicted drug dealers returned to the area following their release from prison.

Police say the meeting is part of their effort to keep local people informed of what they are doing and why.

The problems in the area began when members of the Aggi crew arrived back in the city to discover a rival yardie gang had taken over the area.

I think it's dreadful that the police have come in so mob-handed

St Paul's resident

Both groups are said to be armed and willing to use violence against each other.

Officers arrested 18 men and seized £2,000 of drugs after a series of raids on the Black and White cafe in the area last weekend.

One resident who declined to give her name said: "I felt physically sick when I saw what was going on here.

"My daughter burst into tears when we were about to leave the house because she thought the police were going to shoot her on the way to school. I felt very upset about that.

'Very upset'

"I think it's dreadful that the police have come in so mob-handed though and who's to say someone won't get caught in the crossfire."

A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police said: "We want to keep the people in St Paul's updated about what we are trying to achieve in the area.

"What we don't want is for them to think armed officers is how we are going to police the area in the future.

"Armed officers are a visual deterrent to say we are not allowing these people to shoot each other."

The meeting is being held at the Malcolm X Centre in St Paul's at 1900 GMT.