Illegal New Year’s Eve ravers pelt police with makeshift missiles after they shut down Bristol music events

New Year’s Eve ravers pelted police with makeshift missiles after officers shut down music events across Bristol. 

Around 400 people were found at an industrial site in St Phillips on Wednesday evening just before midnight, after police were called to the scene at around 11:15pm. 

Officers reported that items were thrown at them and their vehicles on surrounding streets as they closed nearby Feeder Road to prevent more people from accessing the site. 

A drone was deployed to assist in tracking down suspects, resulting in two arrests. 

The incident was among a spate of arrests and equipment seizures made on New Year’s Eve by police responding to unlicensed music events across the city and South Gloucestershire. 

In addition to the illegal event in St Phillips, police were called to Aztec West and Purdown.  

Officers were called to a warehouse in Aztec West, a business park in south Gloucestershire, at around 10:45pm following reports of loud music and a gathering of between 400 to 500 people. 

A cordon was put in place and the majority of people who had attended had been dispersed by around 3:30am. 

One person was arrested on suspicion of a number of offences, including drug-driving, and drug possession and supply. They remain in police custody. 

Two vehicles which contained sound equipment were also seized. 

In Purdown, at least 100 people are thought to have attended an unauthorised music event. 

Police were called to the scene at around 2:25am. The music was turned off and the gathering dispersed by 5am.   

According to police, some people who attended the events required medical treatment for injuries or ‘suspected drug-related illnesses.’  

Superintendent George Headley said: ‘Additional resources were put in place to enable us to respond swiftly to any unlicensed music events and we’re thankful to those who called us to make us aware of what was happening.

‘We know some people accuse of us of trying to stop people from celebrating New Year’s Eve, but that is absolutely not the case. We want people to have a good time; what we don’t want is people’s safety being put at risk.

‘Last night several people who attended these events at unsuitable and potentially dangerous locations ending up requiring medical treatment, either for injuries they sustained or in some cases suspected drug-related illnesses.

‘Throwing items at police officers and driving while under the influence of drugs is also totally unacceptable, and something the public would expect us to take a strong stance against.

‘Officers’ hard work throughout the night means those suspected of committing crimes find themselves starting 2026 by waking up to the very real and sobering prospect of being investigated and prosecuted.’