Several raves and mass gatherings dispersed by Avon and Somerset Police on 'Super Saturday'

Bristol police weekend
Despite having to disperse some unlicensed events, Avon and Somerset Police said the weekend went without too much disruption. Credit: ITV West Country / Bristol Live

Several raves and large gatherings were disrupted by Avon and Somerset Police officers as bars and restaurants opened for the first time in more than three months.

A street party in Bristol attended by around 200 people was one of those dispersed in the early hours of Sunday 5 July.

A gathering of around 1,000 people was also stopped by officers in South Gloucestershire.

The force prepared a "significant policing plan" ahead of 'Super Saturday' to make sure officers were well-equipped to deal with increased demand.

In Bristol a street party of around 200 people had to be dispersed. Credit: Bristol Live

Despite needing to interrupt some events, a spokesperson for the force said "thankfully there were no significant incidents of disorder."

Superintendent Mark Edgington said: "We worked tirelessly during the past week and throughout the weekend with our local authority partners and local businesses to ensure people were able to enjoy their first night out in months safely. "The vast majority of people behaved responsibly and we’d like to thank them for ensuring the re-opening of the night-time economy did not lead to any significant incidents. "As part of the proactive policing operation we had in place officers engaged with anyone involved in a gathering to remind them of their responsibility to control the spread of Covid-19."

A rave at an industrial unit in Warmley, South Gloucestershire, was also interrupted by police before it started.

Officers stopped around 1,000 people from entering the building and seized sound equipment and a vehicle.

Other events dispersed over the weekend:

  • An unlicensed music event on Winkworth Place in St Paul’s, Bristol.

  • A gathering on Grosvenor Road and on Grosvenor Green in St Paul’s to mark what would have been St Paul’s Carnival.

  • An unlicensed music event in Mina Road Park in St Paul’s, Bristol, on Sunday attended by around 50 people.

Meanwhile Devon and Cornwall Police recorded more than 1,000 logs on Saturday, with most of the incidents linked to drink-related disorder and antisocial behaviour.

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