Van dweller row 'I can't afford to worry about threats to my safety'

THE man leading the campaign against Bristol’s “van dwellers” says he fears for the safety of his family - and that he could be attacked or even stabbed.

- Filipa GASPAR

Tony Nelson is the figurehead behind the Protect the Downs group calling for vehicles to be removed from their local public green space.

More than 600 people live in vans and caravans on roadsides in Bristol - with a large portion based on or near the Clifton Downs.

Dad and husband Tony, an engineer, said he has seen online comments from people intent on targeting him and his family.

But he says he would “take a swing”, “spit” or a “stab” for his group's cause.

He was recently being interviewed by the BBC when a camera was struck by a van dweller.

The man accused Mr Nelson of spreading “hate and violence” against van dwellers, and said the two groups were “well past talking to each other” before reportedly pushing him.

Following the altercation, Mr Nelson said this was the first time he was attacked and it had left him worrying for the safety of his family and friends.

But he says he can’t afford to be concerned about his own safety and reiterated that his campaign group is not against van dwellers - but against those “trying to claim” the park.

When asked how it felt to have been attacked on TV, Mr Nelson, 52, said: “It leaves an impact and makes me worry about the safety of my family and my friends. It doesn’t really worry me.

“There is other threatening behaviour which I have reported to the police. Online threats saying ‘let's find out where these people live; ‘let's go to their house; ‘let's take them down a peg or two.”