Police abused breaking up ‘mini-Glastonbury’
POLICE were threatened and verbally abused when they broke up a large gathering of young people at a beauty spot.
Officers described some of the events on Friday night near Staunton Harold Reservoir as “unsettling.”
Police said at certain times things got out of control at what was described as a “mini-Glastonbury”.
Investigations are under way to trace the organisers of the gathering – with those responsible facing fines for breaching guidance regarding coronavirus restrictions.
Following concerns by residents about a large gathering forming, officers said they attended to find dozens of “blurry-eyed” youths near the reservoir.
Police said the gathering was arranged and advertised on social media.
Things were going smoothly when some of the gathering respected police’s demands and waited for their parents to pick them up.
However, police revealed some parents were also not too happy about being called to collect their loved ones.
One parent told an officer: “You’ve ruined my evening, having to come out here to collect him.”
Police said: “With considerable frustration, officers from three, fullyoccupied safer neighbourhood teams were diverted from their duties to break up a pre-arranged, social media-advertised gathering of dozens of blurry-eyed youths at Staunton Harold Reservoir.
“Arriving at the scene, officers discovered a cacophony of highly-spirited young people – many laden down with rucksacks filled with clinking bottles of beer, vodka and gin – forming a steady conga-like flow into what was quickly resembling a mini-Glastonbury.
“Also in attendance were much older men, whose motives remain unclear, providing what appeared to be a ready supply of alcohol.
“Officers engaged with the young people and most were well-mannered, apologetic and quickly dispersed.
“In fact, at one point in the evening a line of red-faced teenagers formed what resembled a taxi-rankline, waiting for parents to collect and take them home.
“Sadly, a hard core of testosterone-fuelled imprudent males refused to leave the location, preferring to hurl an acrid flow of obscene, colourful threats at attending officers.
“These angry remonstrances in woodland continued for some time, until the youths ran from the scene across farmland towards Ticknall.
“Following the unsettling incident, officers are now encouraging parents not to view Staunton Harold Reservoir as an after-dark kindergarten for their teenage children.
“Staunton Harold is a working reservoir, containing extremely deep water in a very isolated location.
“Young people, especially those in drink, could very easily wander and fall into the water, which is incredibly difficult to get out of.
“There are many hidden obstacles beneath the surface and therefore the risk of drowning at this location is very clear.”