Officers assaulted at illegal rave

Multiple police officers were assaulted at an illegal New Year’s Eve rave, including one who needed hospital treatment for a head injury. 

Officers on patrol came across the rave at an industrial unit in Edison Road, St Ives, at about 9.30pm on Saturday (31 December).

There were already about 200 people at the event with further people trying to access the site.

As officers tried to prevent further people from getting in, eleven of them were assaulted. 

Two officers suffered cuts to the head caused by thrown glass bottles and one needed hospital treatment. 

Other officers were hit by missiles, pushed to the ground and kicked.

A police car was also vandalised, along with other parked vehicles on the industrial estate.  

A 27-year-old man from Wattisfield, Suffolk, was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker, possession of an offensive weapon and obstructing a police officer, and has since been released on bail.

PC Charlie-Ann Brett said: “This was a shocking incident that saw numerous officers assaulted while policing a large-scale disorder at the industrial estate in St Ives.

“No-one should come to work and be assaulted in this disgraceful manner and we will not tolerate this level of violence towards officers.

“I am appealing to anyone with information to get in touch with us, in particular, any businesses with CCTV footage of the event or people going to or from the site.”

Anyone who has information or CCTV footage should report it through the force website with reference 35/163/23.

Anyone without internet access should call 101.