Ravers clash with police officers fighting to shut down illegal bank parties across the UK while handing out £ 80k fines

RAVERS and police officers clashed as police fought to shut down illegal bank parties across the UK.

A total of £ 80,000 in fines was handed out after the government introduced stricter measures to deal with “serious” breaches of Covid-19 restrictions.

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Missiles were fired at police officers as they tried to shut down an illegal rave in Thetford Forest, Norfolk.

The bottles and cans were thrown at officers when they entered the site on Sunday, the force said, adding that a large number of people are still there.

The policemen made several arrests and confiscated sound equipment.

Before a three-day holiday weekend, the government had said that “those who facilitate or organize illegal raves, unlicensed music events or any other illegal gathering of more than 30 people can face a fine of £ 10,000.”

“I understand that people shouldn’t gather in groups of more than 30, but people are eager to socialize and go out at night,” said one reveler who spoke on condition of anonymity.

“People don’t want violence,” the man added. “We have come here to socialize and then clean up.”

Norfolk Police said more than 500 people attended with more than 100 vehicles at the site.

ILLEGAL RAVES

Officers were called in around 11:20 p.m. Saturday after a member of the public reported seeing a large number of cars queuing to access a fire route.

They discovered that the event took place in a secluded area of ​​the forest, near Grimes Graves, an English heritage site of Neolithic flint mining.

The force said paramedics were also called to the scene following reports that a man had been feeling unwell.

Norfolk Police Deputy Chief Nick Davison said: “Due to the number of people in attendance, we needed teams of specialists to enter the site to shut it down.

“Trained law enforcement officers, experienced in dealing with such events, entered the site and turned off the music around 6.30pm.

“I would like to thank the local residents for their patience and understanding as we bring this to a close.

“We know these events cause disruptions, so we have taken positive steps to ensure that the event does not continue into a second night.

“Due to the nature of the location and the number of people who attended, this was a difficult event to interrupt and required mutual help from other forces, which takes time to organize.

‘HOSTILITY’

“The officers encountered some hostility when they entered the site with bottles and cans that were used as missiles and were launched at the officers. Fortunately, no one was injured.

“It is extremely disappointing to see these types of events taking place when the coronavirus remains a real threat to our communities.

“We are working to identify the organizers and we will do everything in our power, when evidence is available, to prosecute them and bring them to justice.”

The police have had to dissolve several illegal raves in other parts of England as the government tries to balance the openness of the economy by relaxing restrictions on socialization with the protection of public health.

Another rave in South Wales drew over 3,000 people from across the UK.

Thousands of young people came to the village of Banwen, and locals said that loud music had kept them awake since 1 a.m.

South Wales Police Chief Superintendent Simon Belcher said: “This type of illegal gathering is totally unacceptable and we are aware of the concerns it is causing in the local community.”

“I would like to once again remind people of their obligations under current coronavirus legislation and the overall goal for everyone to take personal responsibility by following the Welsh government regulations to keep Wales safe.”

“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 laws on what steps can be safely taken.

Two event organizers were fined £ 10,000, South Wales police said.

Officers are still at the site in Banwen and around 1,000 people remained at the site Sunday night.

Elsewhere, eight people were fined £ 10,000 in Yorkshire after officers broke up various parties taking place in Headingley and Burley.

At a house party, two DJs were fined £ 10,000 and had their gear seized, while attendees received £ 100.

West Yorkshire Police Superintendent Chris Bowen said: “Keeping our communities safe from the spread of the coronavirus remains our priority and we can only do so in compliance with current restrictions.

“I urge those who are considering hosting or attending unlicensed house parties or music events to seriously consider the impact their actions are having not only on themselves, but also on their family, friends, and the community at large.

“You are not only putting your health at risk, but you are breaking restrictions and running the risk of being fined and arrested.”

Meanwhile, thousands of pounds worth of equipment were also seized in the police crackdown.

The force seized what they believe to be around £ 20,000 worth of music equipment from a garden at an address in the Chapeltown area of ​​Leeds on Sunday, which officers suspect was being held for an unlicensed music event.

It came after Essex police said they had also seized thousands of pounds worth of equipment, but did not give an exact figure, ahead of an unlicensed music event that police said would take place in Harlow on Saturday afternoon .

West Midlands Police said they had dealt with about 90 reports from the public about possible breaches of the restrictions on Sunday morning, “but we have not had to use our enforcement powers.”

The Metropolitan Police force alone has responded to more than 1,000 unlicensed events since late June.

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