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Violence erupted in a city centre today after a far-right group and anti-fascists clashed with police following a protest over a man jailed for leaving bacon sandwiches outside a mosque. 

Kevin Crehan, 34, was jailed for 12 months for being part of a group which left the meat by the door of the Jamia Mosque in Bristol on January 17, 2016 but he died in prison in December.

He was described as being a 'loyal patriot' and 'family man' by his supporters and Crehan, along with others, admitted racially aggravated public order offences in relation to the incident.

On Saturday, around 100 fans of Crehan - also known as Bunny - gathered outside Bristol Crown Court amid a heavy police presence which included mounted officers and police dogs.

Dozens of far-right campaigners protested against the 'outrageous' sentence a 'loyal patriot and family man' received after raw bacon was left outside a mosque

Supporters clashed with police after the gathered in Bristol city centre on Saturday to protest over the jail sentence given to Kevin Crehan

They clashed with police after the group gathered to protest against the sentence given to Kevin Crehan, who died in prison last year 

On Saturday, around 100 supporters of Crehan, also known as Bunny, gathered outside Bristol Crown Court on Saturday 

Supporters of Kevin Crehan held up an England flag which pointed out they wanted 'justice' for their friend, who was known as 'Bunny' 

Police officers had to chase people away after scenes turned violent on the streets of Bristol on Saturday afternoon

A counter protest involving anti-fascists attracted dozens more people. It had been due to take place in Castle Park but one bystander said the group had moved closer to the far-right protest.

A message on the Demonstration for Kevin 'Bunny' Crehan Facebook event page said: 'This Demo (is) aimed at highlighting the outrageous sentence handed to a loyal patriot and family man.'

One witness said the situation had the potential to 'kick off' and that shoppers and businesses had been impacted by the gatherings, with a pub being forced to shut for a number of hours.

He added that police had 'kettled' a number of the far-right protesters on Small Street and were preventing them from leaving for their safety. 

Avon and Somerset Police issued a warning to the two groups on its social media accounts, banning protesters from bringing certain items to the events.

Banned items included face coverings such as masks and scarves, placards that might incite disorder or hatred, and anything that could be used to cause injury or damage.

Kevin Crehan, 34, (left) was jailed for 12 months for being part of a group which left bacon sandwiches by the door of the Jamia Mosque in Bristol (right) 

A counter protest attracted dozens more people. It had been due to take place in Castle Park but one bystander said the group had moved closer to the far-right protest

Police had to contain demonstrators as far-right and anti-fascist campaigners protested in Bristol city centre on Saturday 

Avon and Somerset Police issued a warning to the two groups on its social media accounts, banning protesters from bringing certain items to the events

Anti-fascist protesters clashed with police officers who were on horseback in the centre of Bristol on Saturday afternoon 

The protesters had gathered in the centre of Bristol to show support and get 'justice' for Kevin Crehan, who was jailed last year

Police were forced to pen in a number of protesters who had made their way outside Bristol Crown Court this afternoon

A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Constabulary said there had been no arrests.

He said: 'Our main priorities are the safety of the public and the facilitation of peaceful protests. A well-rehearsed policing plan is in place to achieve this.

'We want to keep disruption to the public to a minimum and have been proactively engaging with the protesters, local businesses and the wider community prior to today's events.

'Public safety is our top priority and officers will robustly deal with anyone who engages in significant anti-social behaviour or disorder.'