BBC viewers were left stunned as a furious man interrupted a live news report and clashed with a local resident.
The unexpected outburst unfolded during coverage from the scene, with tensions boiling over in front of stunned reporters.
The explosive moment saw a furious man living in a converted horse box square up to a local during a heated row in .
Tempers erupted on cameras as the bloke fumed at a woman who claimed he shouldn’t be living on parkland.
He snapped: “Why shouldn’t I? What’s it got to do with you?”; – before she hit back with: “Attitude.”;
That only riled him up more, as he shouted: “No! It’s called standing up for rights.”;
The bust-up happened during a report from Clifton Down, where dozens of people are living in vans, caravans and motorhomes parked around the popular green space.
Fuming residents say they’ve had enough – accusing some of the “van dwellers”; of dumping loo waste in drains, gardens and bushes.
Van dwellers say they’re on the move for all sorts of reasons – with some calling it a lifestyle choice, while others blame Bristol’s eye-watering rents and cost-of-living crisis for forcing them out of traditional homes.
A number are also said to be living with specific vulnerabilities.
But fed-up locals aren’t buying it.
A group called “Protect the Downs”; has been launched on , led by ex-RAF serviceman Tony Nelson.
Speaking to the BBC, he admitted some van dwellers are “responsible”; and “never a problem”; – but slammed others for giving the community a bad name.
Furious locals have gone even further – accusing some van dwellers of use, and prostitution.
Tony Nelson, who runs the “Protect the Downs”; Facebook group, didn’t hold back, telling the BBC: “This used to be famous across the country.
“I’d heard of the Bristol Downs when I was living in East Anglia – so I know it was once a treasured place. Now it’s become a sink.”;
But van dweller Danny, who only gave his first name, hit back, branding some of the online claims “absolutely ludicrous”; and borderline hate crimes.
He insists he’s paid £35,000 in business rates over the years via arts and events firms he’s run.
It’s thought there are around 680 vehicles being used as homes across Bristol – from roadsides and squatted sites to council-run plots with basic facilities like water, toilets and waste disposal.
Bristol City Council has acknowledged the issue is “complex”; and says it’s working on a plan to support van dwellers and respond to community concerns.
