A woman from Wiltshire who found herself caught in the middle of a riot at a restaurant in Bristol says she has struggled sleeping since.
Philippa Swatton, who lives in Marlborough, went to Bristol with her husband and two dogs on Saturday, August 3, to meet with her son and two grandchildren for a meal.
After the 60-year-old entered the restaurant called Pasture, she had to hide under tables to protect herself from glass being smashed.
The riots which have broken out across the nation come in the aftermath of a knife attack in Southport, in which three children attending a dance class lost their lives.
Philippa and Joe, pictured at the restaurant where he 'rescued her from riots' (Image: Philippa Swatton)
“I had heard about a bit of unrest on the news around that time, but not much,” Philippa said.
“When we drove in we did see an Asian taxi driver getting some abuse from some lads and quite a few riot vans.
“That was near the centre though, we didn’t expect anything where we were.”
As Philippa’s family, who were sitting outside, finished their meal customers at the restaurant started to notice a loud noise.
Philippa, who struggled to untie her dog named Sockie, said she had to hide under a table.
Racially motivated riots have taken place across the UK since three children were killed in Southport (Image: PA)
“A guy called Joe Wagstaff who had been at the restaurant with some friends came out to help me untie Sockie as the protestors were coming up to the door.
“It was particularly scary. I’d say it lasted for about 10 or 15 minutes and there weren’t any police officers around because they were all in the town centre.
She said the events of that night were ‘unnerving’ for her and she was unable to sleep for the first couple of nights after it happened.
“At the time I didn’t even process what was happening, I was just so intent on saving my dog,” she added.
“All I want to say is a big thank you to Joe for saving me and Sockie. I didn’t know Joe until that night and what he did really shows the good in people. It’s one of those fight or flight situations and he chose to fight."
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