Avon and Somerset’s police chief has promised to hunt down everyone who attacked officers as they shut down an illegal rave in Yate. 

Chief constable Andy Marsh said a second organiser of the event on October 31 has now been slapped with a £10,000 fine and the force has many hours of footage to identify anyone who was violent. 

Police and crime commissioner Sue Mountstevens slammed the “despicable” behaviour, saying the revellers risked spreading the virus to their loved ones. 

The rave lasted nearly 24 hours and attracted up to 700 people to the disused warehouse in a “blatant breach” of the coronavirus regulations. 

Police were first called at 10.30pm. 

Speaking during a Facebook Live video, Mr Marsh said: “We attended the unlicensed music event in Yate within 12 minutes of being called. There were already 250 to 300 people there. 

“We have many hours of body-worn video footage of the violence, threats and intimidation used towards police officers. There were missiles thrown, bottles, punches, kicks, fireworks fired at officers. All sorts of really significant violence.”

No one was seriously injured. 

Mr Marsh added: “The officers didn’t retreat, they put a cordon around the event. They stopped more people attending, many hundreds, we think. These events grow incredibly quickly. 

“Once we’d mustered support from surrounding forces we cleared the event, cut the power, seized the generator and arrested eight people. We’ve issued two £10,000 tickets to people we believe were involved in organising the event. 

“If anyone was there, don’t sleep soundly. We’re reviewing many hours of footage. Where we identify people, you’ll be getting a ticket. 

“Anyone who used violence towards police officers, wherever they come from, we will hunt them down, arrest them and bring them to justice. I do anticipate many more tickets to be issued.”

Mr Marsh said the revellers had shown a “wilful negligence” towards the risk of spreading the virus. 

Ms Mountstevens said: “It was absolutely despicable behaviour. If you’re young you may think you’re invincible – we know you’re not. They’ve possibly taken the infection back to their parents and grandparents.” 

In a statement, Detective Superintendent Lisa Simpson said: “We hope the issuing of two £10,000 fines, which is the maximum amount allowed under the Covid-19 legislation, acts as a warning to others who may foolishly contemplate organising a large-scale unauthorised event when everyone else is facing up to a perilous public health situation and trying to protect the NHS.”

Anyone with information about the unlicensed event is asked to call 101 and give the call handler reference number 5220246954.