CARNAGE AT THE RAVES
One man dead, three stabbed and a woman raped as yobs leave a trail of destruction
A man died of a drug overdose, three revellers were stabbed and a teenager raped at two ‘quarantine raves’.
Police who tried to intervene in the carnage that ended yesterday morning were showered with makeshift missiles.
The 6,000 ravers trashed the sites of the illegal gatherings around manchester, leaving behind a sea of rubbish.
A third rave took place the same night under the m1 in West Yorkshire where crowds chanted ‘***k the police’. They walked home along the motorway forcing it to be closed to traffic.
Greater manchester Police are probing the death of a 20-year- old from a suspected drugs overdose during the rave at Daisy nook in Oldham attended by around 4,000 people. In Flixton, there were three reported stabbings at a rave with a crowd of 2,000.
An 18-year-old suffered life-threatening injuries, while two other men – aged 25 and 26 – were wounded. Police arrested a 25year-old suspect and are investigating the rape of an 18-year-old woman.
The two manchester raves led to a 60 per cent rise in 999 calls between 5pm on Saturday and 4am yesterday – 500 more than normal. The number of calls to the 101 non-emergency number doubled.
Assistant Chief Constable Chris Sykes said: ‘These raves were illegal and I condemn them taking place. They were clearly a breach of coronavirus legislation and guidelines, and have had tragic consequences.
‘The gatherings were carefully monitored by officers but, like all forces, we needed to balance the present public health emergency and our overall demand.
‘Officers attempting to engage with participants of this gathering were met with violence, resulting in items being thrown and a police car being vandalised.
‘I want to make it clear that this is absolutely not acceptable and will not be tolerated. Our officers are working incredibly hard to keep people safe and should never be met with inexcusable violence while carrying out their duties.’
At the third rave – on the outskirts of Leeds – police found huge crowds of young people in party gear crammed in a tunnel beneath the m1 dancing to rave music.
none wore masks or gloves and they were dancing by the light of their mobile phones. The mob were filmed chanting ‘***k the police’ as officers broke up the party shortly after midnight yesterday.
Disgruntled revellers walked home along the motorway and the trouble spilled into a service station, where a series of fights broke out. The motorway had to be closed for three hours.
A local resident said: ‘Whoever organised this may have handed out death sentences. They obviously don’t care about catching the virus and giving it to their parents or grandparents.’
mass gatherings have been banned since march to try to halt the spread of coronavirus. The restrictions have since been eased to allow groups of up to six to meet outdoors – subject to social distancing.
Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner, whose constituency includes Daisy nook, condemned the revellers.
She said: ‘Those who attended the rave put themselves and their loved ones at risk. It was completely irresponsible and they should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves. They came and trashed the place, causing a lot of distress for nearby residents then left without a thought for those that would have to deal with the aftermath.’
neighbours began the clean-up of Daisy nook from 5am yesterday. Empty beer crates, glass bottles and silver nitrous oxide canisters covered the grass.
Residents voiced their anger about the event on social media. One woman wrote: ‘Firstly, we’ve all been isolating for absolutely no reason if these idiots have all been out raving. Secondly, look at all that mess that will have such a negative impact on the environment and wildlife on our beautiful country park.’