Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Police swoop on ongoing illegal rave in Sussex

‘Officers remain at the scene and will continue to robustly deal with people found to be committing crime and behaving in an anti-social manner,’ says Sussex Police

Sean Russell
Sunday 27 June 2021 18:26 BST
Comments
(Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Police have been met with hostility while attending an illegal rave in West Sussex, after reports of a crowd of possibly thousands of people dancing and listening to music in a field.

Sussex police are “responding to a large unlicensed music event” in the Steyning area, in what they have called an ongoing matter.

An air ambulance has been spotted in attendance in the area while early reports have said that about 2,000 people attended the rave, which started on Saturday. Under current coronavirus restrictions, gatherings must not exceed 30 people.

Images taken on the Bostal Road show hundreds of attendees’ cars were parked up, with some of the vehicles blocking the entrance to a field in the area.

As officers responded to the calls, road closures were put in place in the area, and the police dispersed those who attended.

A “significant number” of officers attended, according to Sussex Police, and 23 arrests have been made so far on suspicion of offences including drink and drug-driving, possession of drugs and theft.

Sussex police have also said in a statement that emergency services have been met with hostility at the site, with one police office being assaulted and a second injured in a collision with a vehicle while the driver attempted to leave the event. The driver was arrested on suspicion of driving while unfit through drink or drugs.

Anyone planning on attending the event is warned not to travel to the site, and officers will be taking action against those found doing so. Dozens of police vans alongside paramedics have been seen at the scene.

In a statement, Sussex Police had said: “A significant number of people have travelled to the site from areas outside of Sussex, and enquiries are ongoing to identify the organisers responsible for this unauthorised event so enforcement action can be taken against them.

“Officers remain at the scene and will continue to robustly deal with people found to be committing crime and behaving in an anti-social manner. Those leaving the event are being proactively stopped to ensure drivers are in a fit state to drive.

“There continues to be disruption on the road network in the area owing to a large number of badly parked vehicles, and people are still urged to avoid the area if possible.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in