Rioters attacked a police station and set fire to marked police cars after violence broke out in Bristol at a rally against a controversial policing bill.

Thousands of people had gathered in the city on Sunday for a demonstration against the legislation, which would give officers more powers to crack down on protests.

Police said the “Kill the Bill” march began peacefully but turned violent when a “small minority” attacked the police station in Bridewell Street.

Two police officers were taken to hospital with broken bones and ribs and two marked police vans were set on fire, while vehicles parked in a multi-storey car park nearby were also damaged by rioters.

Other images showed fireworks being thrown and rioters attempting to smash the windows of the police station as mounted officers were deployed to disperse the large crowd.

Home secretary Priti Patel described the violence as “unacceptable”. She tweeted: “Thuggery and disorder by a minority will never be tolerated. Our police officers put themselves in harms way to protect us all. My thoughts this evening are with those police officers injured.”

Andy Roebuck, chair of Avon and Somerset Police Federation, described the protesters as a “mob of animals”.

He wrote on Twitter: “Disgusting scenes in Bristol by a mob of animals who are injuring police officers, members of the public and damaging property. We have officers with suspected broken arms and ribs. This is so wrong.”

Chief Superintendent Will White, of Avon and Somerset Police, said: “What started out as a peaceful protest has been turned by a small minority into a violent disorder.

“These scenes are absolutely disgraceful and they will be widely condemned by people across the city. There can never be any excuse for wanton disorder.

“Officers have been subjected to considerable levels of abuse and violence. These are men and women out there with the intention of serving and protecting the public – they should never be subjected to assaults or abuse in this way.

“At least two police vehicles have been set on fire and damage has been caused to the outside of the station. Protesters are not inside the building. We have requested mutual aid from neighbouring forces to bring this incident to a safe conclusion.

“All those involved in this criminal behaviour will be identified and brought to justice. There will be significant consequences for behaviour such as this.”

Darren Jones, Labour MP for Bristol North West, said: “The scenes in Bristol this evening are completely unacceptable.

“You don’t campaign for the right to peaceful protest by setting police vans on fire or graffitiing buildings.”

The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill would give the police in England and Wales more power to impose conditions on non-violent protests, including those deemed too noisy or a nuisance.

Those convicted under the proposed legislation could face a fine or jail.

Mass gatherings are currently banned under the coronavirus legislation and anyone breaching the regulations could be fined.

Many protesters wore face masks and carried placards, which read: “Say no to UK police state”, “Freedom to protest is fundamental to democracy” and “Kill the Bill”.

Avon and Somerset Police had urged people not to attend the demonstration, warning that enforcement action could be taken.

Bristol mayor Marvin Rees said that he had “major concerns” about the policing bill but condemned the violence at the protest as “unacceptable”.

He added: “Smashing buildings in our city centre, vandalising vehicles, attacking our police will do nothing to lessen the likelihood of the bill going through. On the contrary, the lawlessness on show will be used as evidence and promote the need for the Bill.

“What they have done has more to do with self-gratification than it has to do with the protection and advancement of those of us from communities most likely to be marginalised and mistreated by our political and legal systems.”

Additional reporting by PA