Missiles thrown at police after 2,000 people attend illegal rave

Dorset Police came under attack by the ‘violent and hostile’ crowd as they tried to shut the event down
Missiles were thrown at police as they tried to shut down an illegal rave in a rural beauty spot.

Officers were first called to a field in East Lulworth, Dorset, at 11.45pm on Saturday where around 2,000 people had flocked for an illegal rave and more than 100 vehicles had parked in the area.

Police worked through to Sunday evening to shut down the event, which they said was causing “significant disruption”.

Dorset Police had items thrown at them by the “violent and hostile” crowd as officers tried to put a stop to the event and seize equipment.

Nearby roads were closed while officers worked to stop the event and 11 arrests were made for offences including driving while under the influence and assaulting an emergency worker.

Assistant Chief Constable Steve Lyne said: “While responding to the incident, our officers came under attack from missiles and faced a violent and hostile reception.

“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.

We will continue now to review evidence from the scene to identify any further offences committed and detailed enquiries will be carried out.”
The county's Police and Crime Commissioner said the incident has had a significant impact on residents.

David Sidwick said: “We would like to thank the local community for their understanding while the police and local agencies put in 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.

“We will not tolerate unlicensed music events because of the increased risks they present and the impact they have on our communities and those visiting the area.”
The Criminal Justice and Public Order Act gives police the powers to stop vehicles that are within a five-mile radius of a rave and turn them away.

It also targets gatherings of 20 people or more who are listening to music at night.