Illegal rave Bristol: Police issue statement as officers attempt to bring event to ‘safe conclusion’

Police say they are working with the organisers of Bristol rave: Police at illegal rave on land off Old Gloucester Road - road closed">an illegal rave on the edge of Bristol in a bid ‘to bring this event to a safe conclusion’. At its height, between 400 and 500 people were at the unlicensed music event on farm land between Winterbourne and Bradley Stoke.

The event started last night at around 10pm. It centred on a disused building on farmland off Old Gloucester Road, linking Hambrook with Bradley Stoke. Police attended shortly after midnight and closed the road to motorists.

Throughout the night the number of people gathered at the site reduced - and at 10am the music stopped.

Speaking to people leaving the event, some had come from as far away as Essex.

The police statement read: “Police are currently responding to an unlicensed music event in South Gloucestershire. We received a call from a member of the public at about 12.05am this morning (Sunday 30 October) informing us vehicles had started arriving in the Old Gloucester Road area of Hambrook.

“The first officers arrived at the scene at approximately 12.17am and reported that an unlicensed music event was underway at a disused building. They estimated 400-500 people were in attendance.

“Road closures were put in place to prevent more people from accessing the site. Throughout the night the number of people gathered at the site has subsequently reduced.

“Public safety is our absolute priority when responding to these events. We continue to engage with organisers at the site to bring this event to a safe conclusion, while trying to keep the impact on the wider community as low as possible.”

Noise from the rave distrubed people living in Winterbourne, with several taking to social media platforms overnight to complain about it. One person who contacted Bristol World spoke of his annoyance at the event, stating he and his family had had little sleep and his wife today was starting a 12-hour shift.

Update: At 12.39pm, police said the event was brought to an end with officers remaining in the area. A spokesperson said: “The unauthorised music event in South Gloucestershire has been brought to a safe conclusion. Approx 100 people were on site at about 10am but have now left. Officers remain in the area.

“Thanks to the public for their patience while we dealt with this.”