Hundreds flock to illegal Easter raves in Exmoor leaving residents ‘trapped in their homes’

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Hundreds attended a number of illegal raves in Exmoor over the Easter weekend, leaving residents “trapped in their homes” and fearing for their security.

Avon and Somerset Police mentioned the primary rave, attended by an estimated 200 folks, was found by officers at round 5.20am on Sunday close to Dunkery Beacon in Somerset.

The power was then alerted about 40 minutes later to one other rave close by, for which a number of hundred partygoers had descended on Kennisham Wood close to Luxborough.

One eyewitness, who needed to stay nameless, informed ITV vans have been blasting out music and partygoers have been surrounding houses in the world, leaving residents trapped indoors.

They added they “had never seen anything like it before” and expressed concern for folks’s security.

Another individual mentioned on Sunday: “Exmoor is sadly not a place for families to visit today. The volume of music is incredibly loud and can be heard for miles and miles.”

Photos and movies posted on social media confirmed vehicles lining each side of a road, autos jammed in a carpark, and a number of rent vans.

Loudspeakers have been arrange, with thumping music heard in the background. People have been strolling round dressed in bunny ears and cartoon rabbit face cut-outs embellished makeshift levels.

Road closures have been put in place whereas police handled each incidents, which have been cleared by 11pm.

Sound programs have been seized from the Dunkery Beacon occasion, and police are holding enquiries into potential public nuisance offences.

A person aged in his 30s, from Wiltshire, was arrested at Kennisham Wood on Sunday on suspicion of possession of a Class A drug and assaulting an emergency employee. He has since been launched on bail.

A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police informed The Independent in an replace on Monday afternoon: “We have been responding to two unlicensed music events in the Exmoor area over the weekend.

“Our priority has been to preserve public safety and minimise disruption to other members of the public and as such our officers sought to engage with individuals attending the events and provide community reassurance. Road closures were also put in place.

“Sound equipment was seized from the unlicensed music event near Dunkery Beacon last night and enquiries are ongoing into potential public nuisance offences.

“A small number of people remained in the Kennisham Wood area overnight but the music was turned off by organisers at approximately 11pm following officers’ engagement work. Subsequent efforts to play loud music on site were prevented by officers who told those involved they risked having their equipment seized.

“Those that remained at Kennisham Wood have been clearing up the site this morning. We continued to have officers in the area today to ensure those people left the site safely.”