Colston toppling Police declare investigation into dumping of statue closed
ACRIMINAL investigation into the toppling of the statue of slave trader Edward Colston has concluded, Avon and Somerset Police has said.
The statue was pulled down during a Black Lives Matter protest on June 7, before being thrown in to Bristol Harbour.
Avon and Somerset Constabulary’s decision to not arrest anyone on the scene caused much debate at the time.
But the force later released CCTV footage and other pictures and video in a bid to identify 18 people they wanted to speak to.
Eight people were interviewed and one person was arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage as a result of these enquiries.
The force issued an update on their investigation in which they said five people would be offered corrective cautions.
Avon and Somerset Police said in a statement: “Our investigation into the criminal damage caused to a statue of Edward Colston in Bristol has concluded.
“The statue was pulled from its plinth and rolled into Bristol harbour on Sunday, June 7 during a Black Lives Matter demonstration.
“It was later recovered from the water by Bristol City Council and assessed to have £3,750 worth of damage.”
A 25-year-old man was subsequently arrested, the statement continued, while seven men and a woman were asked to attend a police station for a voluntary interview.
It added: “Following a review of the evidence, detectives will now approach the Crown Prosecution Service for a charging decision against four people - three men, aged 32, 25 and 21, and a 29-yearold woman.
“The remaining five people men aged 18, 20, 29, 33 and 47 have been identified as suitable for an out of court disposal and we have written to them to offer a conditional caution for the offence of causing criminal damage to property valued under £5,000.
“Those offered the conditional caution have been given a week to decide whether they want to accept it.
“Should any of them choose not to accept, officers will approach the CPS to seek a charging decision to be made.”
The statement explained the
The moment the statue of Edward Colston was thrown into the harbour. conditions of the cautions were to complete a questionnaire from the History Commission set up by Bristol City Council, in which they can set out their reasons for their actions, as well as their concerns and thoughts going forward.
They would also be required to pay a fine of £100 which will be collected by HMCTS and sent to Nilaari, a Bristol based charity supporting BAME communities.
This is the maximum fine which can be issued as part of a conditional caution for this particular offence.
The final requirement would be to take part in two hours of environmental improvement works arranged and supervised by Bristol City Council. This may include, but not limited to, painting or the removal of rubbish and graffiti.