Missiles thrown at police as illegal rave shut down
Missiles thrown at police as illegal rave shut down
Operation to dismantle unlicensed event faces resistance
During the operation to close an unlicensed rave at a scenic location, police were targeted with projectiles. Dorset Police reported 10 arrests during the gathering, which took place near East Lulworth and attracted approximately 2,000 attendees along with over 100 vehicles. The event was initially reported at approximately 11:45 PM BST on Saturday and continued into Sunday, prompting police to remain on-site for several hours to dismantle it.
“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 of Dorset Police. “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.”
Community impact and police strategy
Officers encountered resistance from the crowd, who launched various objects at them as they enforced the closure. To halt the rave, authorities confiscated gear and blocked local roads, leading to arrests for offenses such as intoxicated driving and assaults on emergency personnel. Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick expressed gratitude for public support during the operation.
“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,” Sidwick stated. “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.”
Historical context of illegal raves in Dorset
Dorset has seen several unauthorized music events in recent years. In April 2019, a rave near Corfe Castle left a farmer’s fields in disarray, with broken glass, human waste, and debris scattered across the area. A similar event in East Lulworth during April 2022 involved around 1,000 participants on military land, while the Spring Bank Holiday in May 2023 saw a gathering at Corfe Castle that persisted through the following Monday. The ongoing nature of such disruptions has prompted authorities to emphasize the need for legal compliance.
Legal tools to combat unauthorized gatherings
The Criminal Justice and Public Order Act provides law enforcement with authority to stop vehicles within a five-mile radius of an event and prevent further activity. It also establishes guidelines for gatherings exceeding 20 people engaged in nocturnal music events, reinforcing measures to mitigate their societal effects.
