Police unable to shut down illegal rave attended by over 3,000 people at former RAF base

Officers say risk of closing down event was ‘too great’ due to large number of attendees

The illegal rave near Bath is the latest in a string of lockdown-breaking music events across England in recent weeks (Snapchat)

Police said they were unable to shut down an illegal rave near Bath on Saturday night which was attended by more than 3,000 people, despite restrictions on large gatherings.

Avon and Somerset Police said officers were alerted to the event, which took place at the former RAF Charmy Down airfield, at 11.21pm last night and attended the scene within 10 minutes.

The force added that officers concluded the potential risks to public safety from attempting to stop the event were “too great” due to the large number of people in attendance and “dark and wet conditions” at the site.

Other “significant incidents” across the area, including 120 999 calls, also required an immediate police response and took resources away from the rave.

The event was so loud that residents as far away as the neighbouring city of Bristol complained they could hear noise throughout the night.

The music was eventually turned off by 1pm on Sunday, nearly 14 hours after police were called. Most of the site was closed by 4pm as officers tried to stop a group continuing the event in a neighbouring field.

One person was arrested for failing to comply with a notice to quit the land and five vehicles, a generator and other equipment were seized, police said.

Chief Superintendent Ian Wylie said the police investigation would attempt to identify and take appropriate action against those responsible for the event.

He added: “We’re sorry for the disruption caused to so many residents. It’s frustrating that we are having to pull officers away from our 999 response to deal with the selfish actions of the organisers of this event and those attending it.

“They knew full well the disruption this would cause and the ongoing risk to public health of large gatherings due to Covid-19.

“We brought officers in from their rest days and called on support from neighbouring forces to close down this event.”

It came after police in other parts of the UK broke up illegal events over the weekend, with clashes breaking out between officers and members of the public in London on Friday night.

Footage on social media appeared to show partygoers responding angrily to Metropolitan Police riot units which tried to disperse the gathering.

Two 18-year-old men were charged with attacking police officers at the unlicensed event on an estate in Finsbury Park.

Essex Police also broke up an illegal rave in an area of woodland near Theydon Bois on Saturday night.

In June, about 6,000 people attended two illegal events in Greater Manchester at which an 18-year-old woman was raped, three people were stabbed and a man died of a suspected drug overdose.

It is illegal for gatherings of more than 30 people to take place in private homes or in outdoor public space, with exemptions for organisations following public health rules, under coronavirus restrictions.