'Do not underestimate the scale of this protest': Greta Thunberg protest in Bristol set to attract tens of thousands

Children across UK defying warnings to join environmental icon at huge demonstration

Tens of thousands of children are descending on Bristol to join Greta Thunberg at a major climate emergency protest, as police warned participants not to “underestimate the scale” of the event.

The teenage activist plans to join forces with Bristol Youth Strike 4 Climate, with authorities saying they cannot “accurately predict how large” the demonstration will be.

Avon and Somerset Police said they understood people were travelling from abroad to attend.

Safety measures usually put in place by the youth climate group may not be sufficient, especially for young children and disabled people, as “the event has grown so large”, police said.

Organisers told The Independent around 30,000 could gather to hear climate activist Ms Thunberg speak.

Bristol Youth Strike 4 Climate called upon school children and students across the country to go on strike and travel to Bristol to draw attention to the climate crisis.

“Join us at college green 11am to stand beside this icon,” the campaign group said said.

In a joint statement by Bristol City Council and Avon and Somerset Police, the public were warned that big crowds could lead to “trips, slips, falls and crushing”, as well as people becoming “separated from their friends and families” during the potentially huge demonstration.

“Please do not underestimate the scale of this protest,” it said.

“We are working to ensure Bristol is open as usual, but would urge people to allow extra time for travel and consider whether their journey is necessary.”

A huge mural of Ms Thunberg appeared in Bristol last year, depicting the 17-year-old partially submerged by icy water.

The environmentalist triggered school strikes across the globe after protesting outside the Swedish parliament to demand more action against climate change on her own.