Raves make it bank hell day for locals

THOUSANDS of people flouted Covid-19 rules at a string of illegal raves over the bank holiday weekend.

More than 500 turned up at one event in Thetford, Norfolk, despite new Government rules which mean organisers could face £10,000 fines.

In Wales, where the legislation does not apply, an estimated 3,000 people from across the UK descended on a forest near Banwen, Neath Port Talbot.

Resident Jill Molen said: “We couldn’t sleep at all. The noise was there all the time. It was a constant beat and banging. It was horrendous.”

But one reveller said: “I’ve come from Lewisham in London and it’s been absolutely fantastic.”

On Friday, legislation came into force in England allowing police to fine organisers of illegal gatherings of more than 30 people. Anyone attending such events could receive a £100 fine, doubling on each offence up to £3,200.

In Leeds, a DJ hosting a street party became the first person to be arrested and fined.

In Essex, police seized thousands of pounds of music equipment ahead of a rave due to take place in Harlow.

West Midlands Police had reports of 90 illegal gatherings.

In Norfolk, police were last night struggling to shut down a rave near the ancient flint mines of Grimes Graves. West Yorkshire Police said eight people were fined a total of £10,000 after raves across Headingley and Burley in Leeds.

The force also fined five people and charged a man with public nuisance at a street party in Harehills, and £20,000 of music equipment was seized from a Chapeltown garden.

We could not sleep at all. The noise was there all the time

JILL MOLLEN RESIDENT ON RAVE NEAR BANWEN