Clear-up after more than 1,000 revellers attend illegal rave
THE clean-up operation got under way on Monday after more than 1,000 revellers took part in a largely trouble-free illegal rave in south Wales over the Easter weekend.
Rubbish had been collected and placed into bags, while some discarded plastic and bottles – and underwear – remained scattered around the area yesterday lunchtime.
The scene at Kenfig Industrial Estate, Margam, was a far cry from those witnessed on Saturday night and into Sunday when ravers travelled from across the UK to attend the event.
Police confirmed on Sunday that four people had been taken to hospital with non-serious injuries. Yesterday, they said they were looking into the organisation that went into the event.
Superintendent Steve Jones, of South Wales Police, said: “We are reviewing all lines of enquiries following the gathering at Kenfig Industrial Estate to identify any offences under the appropriate legislation.
“The relevant details of some offenders have been obtained and enquiries are ongoing.
“A large majority of those who attended the event left late on
Sunday afternoon.
“Our resources remained in the vicinity of the scene.”
Assistant Chief Constable Mark Travis said on Sunday: “It is disappointing that on one of the busiest days of the year that so many resources have been diverted from supporting local communities to manage an illegal event.
“I would like to thank the local community for their patience and support.”
Some revellers travelled more than 200 miles to be at the event.
Witnesses described semiconscious people lying on the road.
The Welsh Ambulance Service attended in response to calls from the scene, and a road into the estate was closed, with about 300 cars being parked on Water Street, which leads to Kenfig Industrial Estate.
Reveller Chris, who had travelled for more than four hours on Saturday to get to the illegal rave, said the long journey had been “completely worth it”.
He said: “I’ve been going to them for years and you get to know so many people.
“It says on all texts: ‘Respect the land and respect the police.’ It’s just a bit of fun getting loads of people together and having a party. I’ve always found as long as you’re nice to the police, they’re decent.”
Local resident Chris Davies heard the music when he got up for work on Saturday morning.
“I started work at 6am and I thought it was a concert or something,” he said.
“You could hear it at the bottom of the hill. They’re not much trouble.
“There were people walking down this morning and I stopped a guy and asked: ‘What’s going on? Is it a concert’. He just went ‘Uuuhhh’. I wasn’t getting much out of him.”