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Police are trying to shut down illegal raves in South Wales and Norfolk after thousands of people traveled from across the UK to attend an event, despite new rules to crack down on mass gatherings.
Up to 3,000 people attended the “totally unacceptable” event in the rural village of Banwen and officers are on the scene, South Wales police said.
It comes as Norfolk police were working to shut down an unlicensed, all-night music event in a forest attended by more than 500 people.
People dressed in high-visibility jackets appeared to act like bailiffs
Police turned away people trying to attend the rave in Banwen
New rules that went into effect on Friday before the holiday weekend means illegal rave organizers could be fined £ 10,000.
Images on social media showed dozens of people dancing at the open-air event in Banwen, Neath Port Talbot, which had a stage and large sound system, with people dressed in high-visibility jackets who appeared to act as sheriffs.
South Wales Police Chief Superintendent Simon Belcher said the force is “scrutinizing all laws” as they deal with crowds.
“This type of illegal gathering is totally unacceptable and we are aware of the concerns it is causing the local community,” he said.
“We have several resources present, including the police helicopter and the highway patrol officers.
“It has been estimated that there are up to 3,000 people at the meeting who have apparently traveled from all over the UK and we are looking at all the pieces of legislation on what steps can be safely taken.”
The latest illegal raves came after the Home Secretary announced new rules to address them.
He added that illegally parked cars “will be dealt with” and people who show up for the event will be turned away.
Norfolk police said officers are trying to close a meeting with more than 500 people and 100 vehicles in Thetford Forest, near the Grimes Graves English heritage site, that began Saturday night.
The event in Banwen featured a stage and a large sound system.
Paramedics were also called to the scene after reports that a man had been feeling unwell.
Deputy Chief of Police Nick Davison said: “The coronavirus is still with us and continues to be a real threat, so it is extremely disappointing to see these types of events taking place when the rest of our communities are doing all they can to help stop the spread of the virus virus.
“We will work to identify the organizers, confiscate the equipment, deal with any crimes and impose penalties when evidence is available.”
The events are just two of several taking place across the UK despite new rules taking effect on Friday for England, driven by more than 1,000 unlicensed events since late June.
Anyone in England who breaks the rules could be fined £ 10,000, while at least £ 100 fines will be awarded to people who do not wear masks or attend illegal gatherings, and repeat offenders will be fined doubled to a maximum of £ 3,200.
Welsh government restrictions allow up to 30 people to gather outside.
West Yorkshire Police said eight people were fined a total of £ 10,000 after several parties at Headingley and Burley on Saturday and into the early hours of Sunday.
The force also said a man was charged with causing public nuisance after officers broke up a street party at Wepener Mount, Harehills, on Saturday. Five other people at the party have been fined.
West Yorkshire Police also seized around £ 20,000 worth of music equipment from a property in the Chapeltown area of Leeds ahead of an alleged unlicensed music event.
Around £ 20,000 worth of stereo equipment was seized from a property in Leeds. Photo: West Yorkshire Police
Superintendent Chris Bowen said: “Unlicensed music events and large gatherings of people only serve to spread this deadly virus, and we will take action against those who host and attend them.”
Essex Police said they had seized thousands of pounds of equipment ahead of an unlicensed music event that was due to take place in Harlow on Saturday afternoon and are seeking to take the organizers to court.
Essex police seized equipment worth thousands of pounds at one event. Photo: Essex Police
Meanwhile, West Midlands Police said early Sunday they had dealt with about 90 reports from the public about possible breaches of the restrictions “but we have not had to use our enforcement powers.”
“Tonight has been dominated by reports of house parties, rather than the large gatherings that we have seen earlier in the last few weeks,” said a spokesman for the force.
Interior Minister Priti Patel said the new rules targeting illegal raves are a response to “the most serious violations of social distancing restrictions.”
But the president of the Federation of Metropolitan Police, Ken Marsh, warned that the legislation would mean “absolutely nothing” for the application in London.
He said: “It might be good for areas outside of London, but it means absolutely nothing to us here.
“People just install a music box in the middle of the street and say ‘it’s not mine’, it’s silly.”
He wanted laws that would allow officers to “be more forceful” in cleaning areas.
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