RAVERS and cops clashed as police battled to shut down illegal Bank Holiday parties across the UK.
A total of £80,000 in fines were handed out after the government introduced tougher measures to deal with “serious” breaches of the Covid-19 restrictions.
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Cops were pelted with missiles as they tried to close down an illegal rave in Thetford Forest, Norfolk.
Bottles and cans were thrown at officers as they entered the site on Sunday, the force said, adding that a large number of people are still there.
Cops made a number of arrests and confiscated sound equipment.
Before a three-day bank holiday weekend, the government had said "those facilitating or organising illegal raves, unlicensed music events, or any other unlawful gathering of more than 30 people may face a £10,000 fine".
"I understand people shouldn't gather in groups of above 30 but people are itching to socialise and have a night out," said one reveller who spoke on condition of anonymity.
"People don't want violence," the man added. "We've come here to socialise and then clear up after ourselves."
Norfolk Constabulary said more than 500 people were in attendance with more than 100 vehicles at the site.
ILLEGAL RAVES
Officers were called at about 11.20pm on Saturday after a member of the public reported seeing large numbers of cars queuing to access a fire route.
They discovered the event taking place in an isolated area of the forest, near to Grimes Graves, a Neolithic flint mining English heritage site.
The force said paramedics were also called to the scene following reports a man had become unwell.
Assistant Chief Constable Nick Davison of Norfolk Police said: "Due to the number of people in attendance, we needed specialist teams to enter the site to close it down.
"Officers trained in public order, experienced in dealing with such events, entered the site and turned the music off around 6.30pm.
"I would like to thank local residents for their patience and understanding while we brought this to an end.
"We know these events cause disruption which is why we've taken positive action to make sure the event didn't go on into a second night.
"Due to the nature of the location and numbers of people in attendance, this was a challenging event to disrupt and required mutual aid from other forces which takes time to arrange.
'HOSTILITY'
"Officers did meet some hostility when entering the site with bottles and cans used as missiles and thrown at officers. Fortunately, no one was injured.
"It's extremely disappointing to see these types of events taking place when coronavirus continues to be a real threat to our communities.
"We're working to identify the organisers and will do everything within our power, where evidence is available, to prosecute and bring them to justice."
The police have had to break up several illegal raves in other parts of England as the government tries to balance opening up the economy by loosening restrictions on socialising with protecting the public's health.
Another rave in South Wales attracted over 3,000 people from all over the UK.
Thousands of young people descended on the village of Banwen with locals saying they had been kept awake by loud music since 1am.
Chief Superintendent Simon Belcher, of South Wales Police, said: "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.
"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.
Two organisers of the event have been handed £10,000 fines, South Wales Police said.
Officers are still at the scene in Banwen and around 1,000 people remained at the site on Sunday evening.
Elsewhere, eight people were fined £10,000 in Yorkshire after officers broke up several parties taking place in Headingley and Burley.
At one house party, two DJs were fined £10,000 and had their equipment seized while those in attendance were find £100.
Superintendent Chris Bowen, of West Yorkshire Police, said: "Our priority remains keeping our communities safe from the spread of coronavirus and we can only do that by abiding by the current restrictions.
"I would urge those thinking about organising or attending house parties or unlicensed music events to seriously consider the impact their actions are having not only on themselves, but their family, friends and the wider community.
"Not only are you putting your health at risk, but you are breaking the restrictions and you risk being fined and risk being arrested."
Meanwhile, thousands of pounds worth of equipment was also seized in the police crackdown.
The force seized what they believe to be around £20,000 of music equipment from a garden at an address in the Chapeltown area of Leeds on Sunday, which officers suspect was being kept for an unlicensed music event.
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It came after Essex Police said it had also seized thousands of pounds' worth of equipment - but did not give an exact figure - ahead of an unlicensed music event the force said was due to take place in Harlow on Saturday afternoon.
West Midlands Police said it had dealt with about 90 reports from the public about possible breaches of restrictions by Sunday morning, "but we've not had to use our enforcement powers".
The Metropolitan Police force alone has responded to more than 1,000 unlicensed events since the end of June.
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https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiVmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnRoZXN1bi5jby51ay9uZXdzLzEyNTM3NzU3L2NvcHMtc2h1dGRvd24taWxsZWdhbC1yYXZlcy1iYW5rLWhvbGlkYXktZmluZXMv0gFaaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhlc3VuLmNvLnVrL25ld3MvMTI1Mzc3NTcvY29wcy1zaHV0ZG93bi1pbGxlZ2FsLXJhdmVzLWJhbmstaG9saWRheS1maW5lcy9hbXAv?oc=5
2020-08-30 21:49:00Z
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