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Thousands of revellers attended a huge 15-hour illegal rave on Easter Sunday which is set to continue through until tomorrow – with party people being warned by police to not cross firing ranges to get there.
More than 2,000 ravers descended on a site close to the village of East Lulworth, Dorset, in the early hours of Sunday, causing mayhem at a popular seaside resort on the hottest weekend of the year after police closed the roads to stop more attendees heading towards the party.
Dorset Police force said that by 1pm on Sunday they were still trying to get partygoers to leave the area with the help of Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue, Dorset Council and the Ministry of Defence.
Local reports claim that the rave is set to continue on until tomorrow.
Roads heading to the site have been blocked by police cordons in the quiet village of West Holme, instead leading some people trying to get to the rave by crossing Army training land.
Disgruntled locals have described a sound like ‘rolling tanks and gunfire’ keeping them up throughout the night and have since complained of the subsequent traffic chaos on the narrow lanes as tourists flock to the coast during a sunny Easter Sunday.
But that does not appear to be stopping the revelers who have been spotted dumping their cars and walking straight past the blockade.
Thousands of ravers descended on a site close to the village of East Lulworth, Dorset, in the early hours of Sunday, causing mayhem at a popular seaside resort on the hottest weekend of the year after police closed the roads to stop more attendees heading towards the party (pictured walking towards the rave site on Sunday morning)
It is thought the rave is taking place on land belonging to the Ministry of Defence near Bovington military base.
The thinly stretched police force, which is at a loss as to how to tackle the rave, issued a plea to the party-goers on Facebook, writing: ‘Please leave and go home immediately.’
Meanwhile frustrated farmers have taken the law into their own hands and are using tractors and diggers to disperse the rave, it has been reported.
Graham Hunt, a local photographer, said: ‘There are just two police officers here. They’ve blocked the road but people are just parking up and walking down there. They park their cars outside the road block, then just walk past the police.
‘This is Ministry of Defence land – there are signs up with warnings that it’s a firing range.’
Charlotte Stanton, who keeps ponies in the area, said: ‘It makes me nervous how close they are because of the fallout of intoxicated individuals wandering too close to my ponies.’
Dorset Police force said that by 1pm on Sunday they were still trying to get partygoers to leave the area with the help of Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue, Dorset Council and the Ministry of Defence. Local reports claim that the rave is set to continue on until tomorrow. Pictured, ravers at the site last night on a video shared online
Grant Emms, who owns a nearby campsite, said: ‘I thought it was the tanks [at Bovington] first. I could hear this rumbling. Then I thought I heard what sounded like gun fire.
‘I thought, “that’s odd – they’re firing in rhythm”.
‘It wasn’t until later that I realised it was music. Only yesterday guests were telling me how lovely and quiet it is here!
‘The road closure is going to be a real kick between the legs for small business at Durdle Door – it’s the first weekend of the summer and people can’t get to them.’
People in Wareham and East Stoke have been disturbed by the music, with one person saying they can hear it at Lytchett Fields – 11 miles away.
Local reports claim that the rave is set to continue on until tomorrow. Roads heading to the site have been blocked by police cordons in the quiet village of West Holme, instead leading some people trying to get to the rave by crossing Army training land (Ravers walking back from the rave site)
Dorset Police’s deputy chief constable de Reya said the illegal event had caused ‘distress and disruption’ to local residents and also to livestock on surrounding farmland.
Ms de Reya said: ‘We are working closely together with partner agencies to assess all options to bring the incident to a safe conclusion and try to manage the considerable risks associated with a large-scale unauthorised gathering.
‘It will come as no surprise that emergency services are already busy on a beautiful sunny Easter weekend and such irresponsible behaviour is adding to the demand.
‘As there are Army training sites in the area, those attending the event are potentially putting themselves in danger by crossing these locations.’
Officers have entered the site and ordered all those present to leave using powers under the Public Order Act.
Disgruntled locals have described a sound like ‘rolling tanks and gunfire’ keeping them up throughout the night and have since complained of the subsequent traffic chaos on the narrow lanes as tourists flock to the coast during a sunny Easter Sunday (revelers who have been spotted dumping their cars, pictured, and walking straight past the blockade)
Ms de Reya said: ‘Due to the large scale of the event and impacts of dispersing such high numbers, this process can take some time.’
She also warned ravers they are at risk of sparking wildfires if they light campfires or barbeques in the area.
She added: ‘We will be investigating any criminal offences and ensure those found to be responsible are prosecuted.’
Officers are conducting vehicle checks on the site and the surrounding areas, gathering body-worn camera footage, drone footage and video from police helicopters, Ms de Reya said.
‘Again, I would like to send a direct message to those at the event – you are trespassing, please leave and go home immediately,’ she said.
One woman, who wished to be known as Katherine, is staying with family nearby. She said: ‘I was woken up at four this morning and it’s still very, very loud now.
‘There’s a police helicopter circling and the army range road has been closed off.
‘They have indicated to us that there are about 2,000 people on the site.
‘It’s Easter Sunday- I want to sit outside and enjoy the beautiful weather. It’s very out of place for this area.’
Another resident added: ‘I’ve been awake since three this morning.
People in Wareham and East Stoke have been disturbed by the music, with one person saying they can hear it at Lytchett Fields – 11 miles away (the B3070 road through the Ministry of Defence training area closed off by police)
‘The low frequency throbbing has permeated our modern insulated home all night and it’s still going on.
‘Once again, the minority spoil it for everyone else on this holy day.’
A woman who works at a local hotel and wishes not to be named said they were ‘inundated’ with complaints from guests throughout the night.
Annie Lovelass said: ‘What can the police do? We only have 15 officers to cover the whole of this side of the county.
‘They blocked the roads as soon as they became aware but have very few powers.
‘Whoever organised this is an inconsiderate a**hole.’
Others called for the police to ‘pull the plug’ on electricity in the area.
Cherry Brooks, a local councillor, said: ‘There’s been a lot of reaction on Facebook since early this morning.
‘It’s disrespectful, especially because it’s happened on Easter Sunday. Many people within the area have family visiting – and a lot of people couldn’t get any sleep.
‘It woke me up around 4am. During the early hours people didn’t know what it was. It’s thoughtless behaviour.’
A spokesman for Dorset Police said: ‘We have received a number of calls from concerned and upset residents who have had their sleep disturbed by the noise levels coming from the event.
‘We would like to send a direct message to those at the event – you are trespassing, please leave and go home immediately.’
Anyone with any information is urged to contact police on 101 quoting incident number 1729, or by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Source: dailymail
