Arrest after hundreds go to illegal skatepark rave

Police were called to the skatepark in Eastville

One person has been arrested after hundreds of people went to an illegal rave in a skatepark, police have said.

Avon and Somerset Police officers were called to the skatepark under the M32 in Eastville, Bristol, on Saturday.

Insp Gavin O'Reilly said residents reported music being played at an antisocial volume, which they said was causing "significant disturbance" and "having a detrimental impact on them".

The force said officers "positively engaged" with those involved and the music was turned off shortly before 19:00 BST. One person was arrested on suspicion of driving while under the influence of drugs, it added.

Insp O'Reilly said there were about 200 to 250 people gathered at the skatepark.

"An operational decision was taken, due to the impact on the local community and concerns that the size of the event could increase further, to issue a direction to leave," he said.

Police urged anyone who had information about a future unlicensed music event, or anyone who saw early signs of one being set up, to report it to police.

Insp O'Reilly added: "We take unlicensed music events seriously because we have seen countless times before they are often being held in unsuitable locations and with insufficient plans in place to manage a large number of people attending.

"That creates a real risk to public safety, notwithstanding the impact on other people living in the area."

He said police action was "not about stopping people having fun".

"But it crosses the line and becomes antisocial when the volume of the music is so loud that it's impacting on the wellbeing of the local community," Insp O'Reilly added.