A POLICE officer from Taunton has told how "terrified" he was during the Kill the Bill riot in Bristol on Sunday night.

Ian Larcombe said he was unsure he was "going to make it home safely" as colleagues were attacked, a police station vandalised and police vehicles set alight.

A total of 21 officers were injured during ugly scenes outside Bridewell Police Station at the demonstrations against the Police and Crime Bill.

Despite everything that happened, Ian said he and fellow officers would not hesitate to "compassionately and professionally" assist the same people who verbally abused and physically assaulted them if the need ever arose.

He posted on social media: "I spoke with a few peaceful protesters whilst 'holding the line', who were very apologetic for the behaviour of the mindless violence and damage being caused.

"They were devastated as it took away everything they had been protesting for.

"In between being verbally abused and physically assaulted multiple times, I was reminded by these people, why it was important we as police officers were there."

Ian added: "I'm not going to lie, I was terrified at times and wondered if I was going to make it home safely.

"This didn't really hit home until I walked in the door in the early hours.

"I was feeling physically and emotionally drained."

His wife told him how worried she had been as she watched the violence erupting on the news and "feared the worst".

"At that moment, it really hit home how hard it had been, not for myself but for everyone at home not knowing," said Ian.

"My team back in Taunton, hearing about officers being injured and not being able to do anything about it."

Some of the officers policing the incident worked a 21-hour shift, "giving everything they had to protect and serve".

"I am proud to call these people my friends," added Ian. "Our job is to protect and serve the people.

"The same people who are trying to harm me and my colleagues, just because of the uniform we wear.

"No doubt, the same people who were verbally abusing us and assaulting us, will call the police in their hour of need, and we will treat them compassionately and professionally without a second's thought, because that is what we do. We are compassionate and professional.

"We do not discriminate, we try, as best we can to uphold the law, keep the peace and protect the people.

"Thank you to the people who have shown their support to the police recently, it means a lot to us all."