Riot breaks out in village as police try to shut down illegal rave

Revellers at an illegal 24-hour Easter rave pelted riot police with missiles and attacked one officer as they tried to break up the event in a rural village which saw 10 people arrested.

Police were first called to a field in East Lulworth, Dorset, close to a British Army base, at 11.45pm on Saturday where around 2,000 people had flocked for annual illegal rave EggTek.

Riot police had plastic bottles and cans thrown at them by the ‘violent and hostile’ crowd as they tried to put a stop to the event and its huge sound systems which were blasting trance music loudly enough to wake up sleeping locals five miles away.

Police had monitored the masses of trespassers after they descended on the tranquil village late on Saturday night and told them to leave, but to no avail.

Last night, officers in riot gear, boosted by colleagues from neighbouring forces, stepped in to disperse the crowd and seize the disruptive audio equipment.

During this police say officers had missiles thrown at them by the revellers while one officer was also assaulted. Ten people were arrested for a variety of offences.

Footage posted on social media shows ravers grouping together to push against the wall of riot police holding up shields whilst a police helicopter hovered above.

Other clips show attendees stumbling around as they inhaled ‘hippie crack’ from balloons and danced to the thumping music.

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: ‘We have successfully dispersed an unauthorised music event near East Lulworth following robust intervention by officers.

‘The incident was first reported to us at around 11.45pm on Saturday. It is believed that around 2,000 people were in attendance, with in excess of 100 vehicles present in the area.

‘We remained on-site and worked tirelessly throughout the day and into the evening to ensure the event was brought to a safe conclusion.

‘We took proactive and robust action resulting in Dorset Police seizing equipment under section 64 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.

‘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.

‘In addition, we have made 10 arrests for offences including driving while under the influence and assaulting an emergency worker.

‘Officers from Dorset Police were joined by officers from forces across the country and we are grateful to everyone involved for helping to bring the incident to a safe conclusion.

They added: ‘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.’

Local residents praised the police for bringing the event to an end.

Janet Lickiss, 63, posted: ‘Well done Dorset Police. We live very close to the rave site.

‘I understand the comments about young people having fun but I think what is not understood is that a great deal of damage was done by ravers entering the site.

‘Local roads were impassable so emergency vehicles could not have reached local residents and livestock have been left distressed. Plus the cost of the clean-up which will be borne by the taxpayer.

The area of East Lulworth, a village of 240 residents, has been the site of numerous illegal raves during Bank Holiday weekends over the years.

One resident in Stoborough, five miles away, said they could hear the ‘thumping’ bass music all night long.

Resident Jennifer Hyde, said: ‘I was woken up at 5am by the noise, especially the thumping bass that went on until about 7am this morning, giving me a pounding headache.

‘It is not what I expected on Easter Sunday and I cannot comprehend what pleasure is gained by those who organise such events.

‘They have absolutely no consideration for others or respect for the law and are utterly selfish.’

Mrs Lickiss, of East Stoke, lives around 200 yards away from the rave site, said her horses were left distressed.

She said from midnight she heard an ‘awful lot of music’ throughout the night.

She said: ‘Obviously, it’s happened before, so we sort of knew then what was going on.

‘But, we’ve got two horses that are in stables and went to check on them – there were police helicopters flying around, you could hear people shouting, going up and down the roads – and they were going round and round in their stable, wild eyed and sweating.

‘We have festivals here, we can hear Bestival, that’s very close to us, but that’s all properly organised and people pay to get in and that’s fine

‘I think it’s the fact that whichever way you look at it, they’re breaking the law by being there.’

But others accused the police on social media of ruining people’s fun and and ignoring serious crime going on elsewhere.