Bristol police officers were bombarded with makeshift missiles as they shut down a massive illegal rave on New Year's Eve, sparking arrests amid chaotic scenes across the city and beyond. Hundreds of revellers descended on an industrial estate in St Phillips, Bristol, shortly before midnight on Wednesday, December 31, 2025.

Avon and Somerset Police received reports at about 11.15pm of approximately 400 partygoers blasting loud music at the site off Feeder Road. As officers moved in to block the road and prevent more arrivals, debris was hurled at them and their vehicles.

A drone was deployed to track down the culprits, leading to two swift arrests. Enquiries into the assaults remain ongoing, with police condemning the violence as "totally unacceptable."

Eyewitness accounts painted a tense picture, with one partygoer posting on Instagram: "Got wigged w a riot shield sprayed w pepper spray and nearly arrested." Reports suggest officers in riot gear used shields to strike revellers and deployed pepper spray during the confrontation.

The St Phillips clash was part of a broader crackdown on unlicensed music events that night, drawing an estimated 900 to 1,100 people in total across Bristol and South Gloucestershire. Earlier, at about 10:45pm, police responded to noise complaints at a warehouse in Aztec West business park where between 400 and 500 revellers had gathered.

A cordon was set up, and most dispersed by 3:30am on Thursday. One man was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs, plus possession and supply offences; he remains in custody. Authorities also seized two vehicles loaded with sound equipment at this location.

A third event unfolded in Purdown near Stoke Park, where at least 100 people partied from about 2.25am. Officers engaged with organisers, switching off the music and clearing the site by 5am without the need for arrests.

Across the various sites, several attendees required medical help for injuries or suspected drug-related illnesses, highlighting the significant risks involved in these unregulated gatherings.

Superintendent George Headley said: "We know some people accuse 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."

He added: "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."

Supt Headley praised the "hard work" of his teams and noted that suspects now face the "sobering prospect" of prosecution as 2026 begins.

Drone footage released by the police captured the scale of the St Phillips gathering, showing large crowds packed between industrial units. While the incidents echo past rave crackdowns in the region, authorities stressed their focus remains on safety. Investigations continue, with no further arrests reported as of January 2, 2026.