Missiles thrown at police as illegal rave shut down

Missiles have been thrown at police as they worked to shut down an illegal rave at a beauty spot.

Dorset Police said there were 11 arrests at the event, near East Lulworth, that drew about 2,000 people and more than 100 vehicles.

It was first reported at about 23:45 BST on Saturday and the force said officers, who worked through until Sunday evening to shut it down, "faced a violent and hostile reception" and came under attack by thrown objects.

Officers seized equipment and closed nearby roads while they worked to stop the event - arrests were made for offences including driving while under the influence and assaulting an emergency worker.

Assistant chief constable Steve Lyne, of Dorset Police, 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."

The force said officers were going through evidence from the event to identify any further offences committed.

Police and Crime Commissioner 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."

One resident told the BBC they had seen an "absolute influx of cars and people wandering around the village aimlessly and clearly under the influence".

"I think that was what impacted the most, as well as the traffic coming and going," she added.

Another resident said he "noticed a lot of lights in the distance and heard a big bass line", adding that he was "a bit perturbed" by the event.

Past illegal raves in Dorset include one in May 2023 at Corfe Castle - it started on the Saturday evening of the Spring Bank Holiday officers were still removing some of the 1,500 revellers on the Monday morning.

In April 2022 police dispersed an illegal rave involving about 1,000 revellers also in East Lulworth held on military land.

Farmland was left a "write off" after an illegal rave near Corfe Castle in April 2019 left it covered with broken glass, human excrement and rubbish.

The Criminal Justice and Public Order Act gives police the powers to stop vehicles anywhere within five miles (8km) of a rave and turn them away.

It also includes rules targeting gatherings of more than 20 people listening to music at night.