News / Crime

Disruption at Paintworks prompts police presence

By Seun Matiluko  Saturday Jun 21, 2025

A plank of wood ended up wedged in the ceiling of an artist’s studio after a man broke into a construction site, climbed up scaffolding and began throwing items.

Bristol24/7 understands police were first called on Friday about a man trying to break into cars and sleeping by a skip in Paintworks off Bath Road.

The plank of wood from the site ended up embedded in the roof of artist Luke Jerram’s studio at Unit 5.8.

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On Friday night, concerned residents saw what appeared to be a man vandalising a construction site at the Paintworks

In a statement, Avon & Somerset Police said: “A man has been arrested following an incident overnight in Arnos Vale, in Bristol.

“At about 10.50pm last night we received a report that a man had gained access without permission to a premises in Bath Road.

“Attending officers reported the man had accessed scaffolding and he was throwing items down from a height.

“Public safety is always our main priority and therefore specialist officers were dispatched to the site to engage with the man and ensure the incident was brought to a safe conclusion.

“The man was arrested and detained by officers under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act at about 10.45am.

“The man was subsequently transported to hospital by paramedics. Officers remain with him at this time.”

A man at the Paintworks was detained under section 136 of the Mental Health Act on Sunday morning

All photos: Bristol24/7

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