A police officer was left with a broken leg after he was assaulted while helping to break up an illegal warehouse rave in Yate.
The young officer, who only joined the force in March, needed hospital treatment after being assaulted when dealing with the illegal rave at the Beeches Industrial Estate in Yate on Saturday (October 31).
The rave, which was estimated to have attracted around 700 people, was eventually shut down yesterday afternoon.
Avon and Somerset Police had to call in resources from surrounding police forces to deal with the incident.
The officer is now home from hospital and recovering.
Avon and Somerset Police Federation chairman Andy Roebuck said the assault was shocking.
In a tweet he said: “Just spoken with an @ASPolice officer who was assaulted last night.
“From the assault he has a broken leg and he’s just got home from hospital.
“He is a young officer who joined March ‘20.
“This is a shocking time for him & his family. @ASPolfed will look after them. #PoliceFamily.”
Police were called to the event at 10.30pm on Saturday - with officers arriving at the site within 12 minutes - and issued a dispersal order.
Surrounding roads were closed to prevent more people driving to the industrial estate.
However, a large number of people continued to arrive on foot.
A minority of attendees who were denied entry to the event became aggressive towards the police, with bottles, bricks and lit spray cans allegedly being hurled at officers.
Several other police officers suffering minor injuries in the incident
Western Power were called to the warehouse to cut the power supply but event organisers had their own supply organised, allowing the event to continue.
The event was eventually closed down at just after 3pm on Sunday.
Eight people have been arrested, including a man in his 30s on suspicion of being involved in organising the event.
The revellers caused ‘extensive damage’ to the warehouse at the event.
A spokesman added: “Officers and staff will continue to examine footage captured on body worn cameras and drones in the coming days to allow appropriate action to be taken against those responsible.”
Anyone with information about the incident that could help the police investigation should call 101 and give log number 1369 of 31 Oct.
