Police officers were attacked with missiles and faced what they described as a “violent and hostile” crowd as they attempted to shut down an illegal rave attended by around 2,000 people in a Dorset beauty spot.
Violent Clash at Rural Rave
Dorset Police were first called to a field in East Lulworth just before midnight on Saturday, where a large-scale unlicensed music event was underway. As officers moved in to disperse the gathering and seize sound equipment, they came under attack. The force confirmed that items were thrown at them, and riot gear was deployed during the nearly 24-hour operation, which lasted through Sunday evening.
Scale and Location of the Event
The event, taking place over the Easter weekend, drew an estimated 2,000 people, with more than 100 vehicles parked in the rural area. The location, described as a rural beauty spot, is understood to be near a British army base. Dorset Police stated they worked with partner agencies including the Ministry of Defence, Dorset Council, and the fire service to bring the incident to a safe conclusion.
The significant police response, which included officers from Dorset Police and mutual aid from other forces across the country, caused major disruption. Nearby roads were closed while officers worked to stop the event, which police said was causing “significant disruption” to the community.
Arrests and Equipment Seizure
In total, 11 arrests were made. Offences included seven for driving under the influence, three for assaulting an emergency worker, along with violent disorder and possession of a class A drug. Those arrested came from as far afield as Bedfordshire, Bridgwater, Pembrokeshire, and Poole. Sound equipment was also seized by police under Section 64 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.
The Powers Used to Shut It Down
The police response was underpinned by powers granted under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994. Introduced in response to the rise of rave culture in the early 1990s, which the then-government viewed as a threat to public order, the Act provides specific tools to deal with such gatherings.
Section 63 of the Act allows police to direct people to leave land where a gathering of 20 or more is preparing for or holding a “rave”. Crucially, the law defines the music played at such events as sounds “wholly or predominantly characterised by the emission of a succession of repetitive beats”. Police can stop vehicles within a five-mile radius of a suspected rave and turn them away. Further powers under Section 66 allow for the forfeiture of sound equipment, a tactic used at the East Lulworth event. The Act has been amended several times since its introduction, including updates in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2015, 2017, and 2021.
Community Impact and Historical Context
Dorset’s Police and Crime Commissioner, David Sidwick, said the incident had a “significant impact on residents” and thanked the local community for their understanding while authorities took what he called “swift, proportionate action”. The disruption echoes long-standing complaints from rural communities about illegal raves, which have historically caused damage to farmland and fragile ecosystems, leaving behind litter, human waste, drug paraphernalia, and the aftermath of fires.
One resident noted that similar events seem to happen “every Easter”, leaving an “awful mess behind”. This is not an isolated incident for the area; in April 2022, an event called “Eggtek” also required a major police dispersal effort in East Lulworth. In 2019, around 1,500 people attended a rave on farmland in Corfe Castle, near Purbeck, causing significant distress to the landowner. Farmers have previously described fields as a “write-off” after such events, with trampled grass unable to recover.
Assistant Chief Constable Steve Lyne of Dorset Police condemned the violence faced by officers. “Violence in our communities and against our officers will not be tolerated,” he said. “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.” He added that evidence from the scene was being reviewed to identify any further offences.
Videos from the rave later appeared on social media, showing people dancing and holding balloons. Commissioner Sidwick reiterated the official stance, stating, “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.”
