THOUSANDS ATTEND RAVE IN FOREST
ALARGE rave that started in the early hours yesterday in Neath Port Talbot was being attended by up to 3,000 people according to police.
Residents of the village of Banwen said they had been kept awake since 1am when crowds began to gather in a nearby forest.
Hundreds of young people reportedly descended on the area, leaving cars parked illegally and obstructing roads throughout the village.
One resident told the Western Mail he felt like a “prisoner” in his own home as young people were “obviously under the influence of drink or drugs” and could be seen sleeping on benches in the village early yesterday morning.
A significant operation was yesterday under way to disperse those still present at the scene, South Wales Police Chief Constable Matt Jukes said.
He said police were working with the local authority and others on a clear-up of the “unlicensed, unlawful gathering”.
“We have not seen this type/scale of event to date. After everyone’s sacrifices during Covid, it’s totally unacceptable,” he said.
South Wales Police officers estimated as many as 3,000 people “from across the UK” were in attendance. Chief superintendent Simon Belcher said officers were “looking at all pieces of legislation as to what action can be undertaken safely” and said the force helicopter was in attendance.
He added: “This type of illegal gathering is totally unacceptable and we are aware of the concerns it is causing for the local community.
“I would like to again remind people of their obligations under the current coronavirus legislation and the overarching goal for everyone to take personal responsibility by following Welsh Government regulations to Keep Wales Safe.
“We have a number of resources in attendance including the police helicopter and roads policing officers.
“It has been estimated there are up to 3,000 people at the gathering who have apparently travelled from across the UK and we are looking at all pieces of legislation as to what action can be undertaken safely.”
It comes as the Welsh Government has implemented new legislation which allows organisers of illegal raves to be given fines of up to £10,000.
The new rules came into force just ahead of the bank holiday in an effort to clamp down on unlawful gatherings as the coronavirus pandemic continues.
Police set up a command centre to deal with the ongoing rave in Banwen.
Sheryl Lee Powell, of Roman Road in Banwen, said she phoned the police overnight to report more than 50 vehicles arriving at the rave.
Cody Jenkins, who also lives on Roman Road, told the Western Mail about the “ridiculous” scenes as hundreds of people attended the rave.
The 20-year-old said there was rubbish “everywhere” and the parking situation was so extreme that residents were unable to get down their road.
Lee Reynolds, of Onllwyn, walked his dog near to the site of the rave yesterday morning. He said he estimated the number of people in attendance was “easily in the hundreds” and the parking situation nearby had become “dire and very concerning for accidents”.
Mr Reynolds said he was concerned about any use of drugs and alcohol at the event, as well as the parking situation. “There is mass use of drugs and alcohol, similarly there is no sanitation facilities,” he said.