Missiles thrown at police as illegal rave shut down
Missiles Thrown at Police During Illegal Rave Dispersal
During the weekend, Dorset Police encountered resistance as they attempted to disperse an illegal rave at a scenic location. The gathering, which attracted around 2,000 attendees and over 100 vehicles, drew attention when it was first reported at approximately 23:45 BST on Saturday. Officers worked through the night until Sunday evening, facing a violent and hostile reaction from participants, who hurled objects at them.
Throughout the operation, police made 10 arrests, charging individuals with offenses such as driving under the influence and assaulting emergency personnel. Equipment was confiscated, and local roads were closed to manage the situation.
“While responding to the incident, our officers came under attack from missiles and faced a violent and hostile reception,” said Assistant Chief Constable Steve Lyne. “Violence in our communities and against our officers will not be tolerated. These types of events are illegal and cause a significant disruption to communities – we must respond to ensure the safety of everyone, and it is unacceptable that we are faced with violence while doing so.”
Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick added: “We would like to thank the local community for their understanding while the police and local agencies implemented action plans to disperse the event. This has had a significant impact on residents and visitors, and the authorities took swift, proportionate action, using powers available to them, as soon as it was possible. I would like to thank everyone who was involved in this policing operation, including officers from Dorset Police and elsewhere across the country, who worked together to bring the incident to a safe conclusion.”
Similar illegal raves have occurred in Dorset before. In May 2023, a gathering at Corfe Castle began on the Saturday evening of the Spring Bank Holiday and continued into Monday morning, with police still removing revellers. In April 2022, an event near East Lulworth on military land involved about 1,000 attendees. A farmer’s fields were left in ruins after an illegal rave in April 2019 near Corfe Castle left them strewn with broken glass, human waste, and debris.
Legal Powers to Disrupt Unauthorized Gatherings
The Criminal Justice and Public Order Act empowers police to stop vehicles within five miles of a rave and turn them away. It also targets nighttime gatherings with more than 20 people listening to music, allowing authorities to address such events swiftly when they pose risks or disruptions to the public.
