Police have arrested more than fifty people who attended a large unlicensed music event in fields in Sussex over the weekend.
According to officers, at its height, up to 2,000 people were present at the event in Steyning, which took place in the early hours of Sunday morning (June 27th, 2021).
Sussex Police deployed a “significant” number of officers to the area to bring the event, including many vehicles and pedestrians, near Bostal Road to “a safe conclusion”.
“Officers attempted to engage with those present. However, they were met with significant hostility. One officer was assaulted while attempting to detain an individual resisting arrest.”
Collisions
Furthermore, a police community support officer is also being treated for a suspected broken arm following a collision involving a police car and a vehicle being driven by someone leaving the event.
The driver and passengers of the second vehicle were also hospitalised as a precaution. A 20-year-old man from Redditch was arrested on suspicion of driving while under the influence of both drink and drugs concerning this collision.
Illegal music event in fields
At 5.45 pm, police issued a directive to leave the area. The event reached a conclusion at 7.15 pm.
Officers seized a large volume of music equipment, including sound systems and speakers. As a result, a further eight individuals were identified as the organisers of the unlicensed event and arrested.
A second collision with another police vehicle was reported at approximately 7 pm. Police arrested the driver on suspicion of failing to stop, dangerous driving and failing to provide a breath test.
One of the largest, unplanned operations in years
At the time of writing, police have arrested over 50 people on suspicion of offences including:
- Drink and drug driving;
- Possession of drugs;
- Theft.
“It is expected that this figure will increase, making it one of the largest, unplanned operations Sussex Police has experienced in recent years.”
Officers will remain in the area for the foreseeable time. They stated they will continue to stop all vehicles from leaving the area proactively.
Cattle disappeared
In a tweet, farmer, James Wright, said: “Absolute scenes up on the downs today.”
“Terrified cattle with young calves, thousands of trespassers and hundreds of police.”
“Hope those who attended are happy with themselves, a lot of mess and heartache left in their wake.”
According to some media reports, a herd of approximately 40 cattle, including in-calve cows, also disappeared from a field.
It has been reported that a large section of fence cut down to “make the dancing area bigger”.
Illegal rave on Meath farm
Last year, Meath farmer, Darragh McCullough, found the dregs of a party that had taken place on his land the previous night.
Read more on this: Farmer finds aftermath of overnight rave on land.
 in Steyning in Sussex on Sunday morning (June 27th, 2021).){kind=link}