News / New Years Eve
Arrests made as police in riot gear attend New Year’s Eve party
Police officers appear to have used their riot shields to strike partygoers at a rave in Bristol on New Year’s Eve which saw two people being arrested.
It has also been claimed that police used pepper spray on ravers, with officers saying that “items were thrown at them and their vehicles on surrounding streets”.
One of these items was an orange-coloured spherical fruit that unconfirmed reports suggest was a satsuma.
Around 400 people were at the party that was taking place in unit 4A of Avonside Industrial Estate on Avonside Road, off Feeder Road, in St Philip’s.
The warehouse had previously been used by Fosters event caterers, who went into administration in January 2024.
One of the partygoers in attendance wrote on Instagram: “Got wigged w a riot shield sprayed w pepper spray and nearly arrested.”
View this post on Instagram
In a statement, Avon & Somerset Police said officers “found approximately 400 people in attendance at an industrial site after being called to the location at about 11.15pm”.
“Feeder Road was closed to prevent more people accessing the location.
“Officers reported that items were thrown at them and their vehicles on surrounding streets.
“Two arrests were made as a result after the suspects were tracked by a drone operator who was deployed to the scene and enquiries into those crimes are ongoing.”
The party in St Phillip’s took place in a warehouse off Feeder Road – photo: Avon & Somerset Police
Police attended two other parties on New Year’s Eve at Purdown on Stoke Park and in a warehouse in Aztec West.
An estimated 400 to 500 people were at Aztec West with most leaving by about 3.30am. One person was arrested and police also seized two vehicles containing sound equipment.
On Purdown, police estimate that some 100 people were in attendance when they arrived at around 2.30am on the morning of January 1, with the music being turned off by 5am.
Superintendent George Headley from Avon & Somerset Police said: “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 ended 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.”
Main photo: @dm04202 / Instagram
Read next:
Our newsletters emailed directly to you
