Swindon: Police Tackle Illegal Rave

1 March 2015, 10:05 | Updated: 1 March 2015, 12:53

Police have ended an operation against an illegal rave in Swindon, which resulted in ''violent disorder'', five people being arrested and four officers being injured, including one who was hit on the head and arm by a brick.

Two people also received injuries - one on the head and another due to a police dog bite - at the River Ray Industrial Estate in Rodbourne.

Officers were initially called out to the area at 1.10am, after being told about 15 cars gathering in Barnfield Road, where about 100 people appeared to be heading for an empty unit.

Cordons were set up, but by 3am, officers were having objects thrown at them.  Police say ''several hundred'' people gathered at the site in attempts to enter the illegal event.

By roughly 6am, two officers had received head injuries - one of them after being hit with a brick in the head and arm. Another two officers were also hurt, including a dog handler.

Four men aged 20 to 34 and a woman aged 20 - none of whom are from the area - were arrested.

Avon and Somerset and Thames Valley Police were also called in to assist, as local officers, with the force helicopter circulating, urged people to stay away from the area.

The site was clear and the music was turned off by 9.30am on Sunday.

Superintendent Andrew Carr said:

''The event is now over but we have to assess the damage to local premises and businesses. It is very disappointing that this incident escalated resulting in arrests and officers injured. The police’s role is to keep the public safe and we have to facilitate the closing down of these illegal events in the best way we can.

Members of the public became hostile to officers and began to throw missiles. This resulted in damage to vehicles parked nearby, and include some business premises and fences in the area.

We would like to thank our colleagues in Avon and Somerset and Thames Valley police who came to assist us.

We are pleased that this has now ended.''