Police issue ultimatum to revellers at coal mine rave
REVELLERS at an illegal rave in Wales will be arrested this morning if they fail to heed police orders to leave the gathering which began on Sunday.
At least 400 people remained at the site last night despite a massive police presence. They were warned to either move on by nightfall yesterday or risk arrest.
About 3,000 people from all over the UK descended on the site in a disused opencast coal mine in Banwen, close to the Brecon Beacons, on Sunday. Officers from South Wales Police, with the help of Dyfed-powys Police and the British Transport Police, seized multiple sound systems and issued a dispersal order − but many refused to move on. A police helicopter was also used to monitor the event.
Eight people have now been issued with a court summons, which could result in them receiving a fine of up to £10,000 under the Welsh Government’s new coronavirus laws. Others have been issued fixed penalty notices for parking offences, while some have had their cars towed.
Assistant Chief Constable David Thorne of South Wales Police said that the force had difficulty removing people from the 4,000-acre site, which is usually used for rally car racing.
“When there’s 3,000 people to enforce a dispersal order on it becomes a massive issue,” he said.
“Even with the resources we were able to deploy at short notice it wasn’t sufficient to be able to move people on any quicker in a safe way.”
Residents have complained about rubbish being dumped and partygoers relieving themselves all over the site due to the lack of lavatories.
Mr Thorne said: “We believe those present to be from all over the UK − many of them have travelled hundreds of miles to get here so this hasn’t happened by accident.
“This has been planned and possibly planned for a little while, but unfortunately they have been able to plan this under the radar so none of the authorities were aware.”
Multiple raves were shut down across the country this Bank Holiday weekend despite the threat of hefty fines. Police in Norfolk were pelted with missiles when they broke up a 500-strong rave in Thetford Forest, while in London the Met Police said it had shut down 21 unlicensed music events.
West Yorkshire Police said eight people were fined £10,000 after several parties were held across Headingley and Burley on Saturday and into the early hours of Sunday.