Over 3,000 lockdown revellers flock to illegal rave near Bath keeping residents awake all night as police refuse to shut it down because of ‘risk to public safety’
Around 3,000 people gathered at a former RAF airfield near Bath last night for an illegal rave.
Despite police officers at the scene attempting to disperse revellers, the event, which started at around 11pm on Saturday, was still ongoing as of midday this afternoon.
Footage showed people thronged together, breaking social distancing rules as they gathered to dance, drink and blast music at the former Charmy Down airfield, in Upper Swainswick, three miles from the city of Bath.
Furious residents reported being woken up at 5am, with reports of loud music being heard across the city, as well as in nearby Bristol.
Avon and Somerset Police said it was aware of the reports, having received 999 calls late last night.
However, the force decided to let the party go ahead during the night, before breaking it up in daylight hours, citing risks to public safety concerns.
The scene in Charmy Down this morning, hours after the illegal rave started three miles from the city of Bath
Residents reported being kept awake all night by the music, with the party continuing on in the morning
A statement said: ‘Officers attended within 10 minutes, quickly established there were already several hundred people at the location – the former Charmy Down airfield, Upper Swainswick – and called for further resources.
‘We had dedicated extra patrols on duty last night to respond to any reported unlicensed music events across the force area. These units were immediately deployed to this incident.
‘Officers closed off the approach routes, however people were abandoning vehicles and making their way to the site on foot. Officers were still turning vehicles away at 6.40am today, Sunday 19 July.
‘A full risk assessment last night concluded that the potential risks to public safety of an intervention to close an event attended by more than 3000 people in dark and wet conditions were too great.
‘There were also other significant incidents across the force area including 120 999 calls which required an immediate police response and the attention of our resources. Therefore the decision was taken to contain the event until daylight hours.’
Chief Superintendent Ian Wylie Said: ‘We’re working with neighbouring forces and other agencies including Bath and North East Somerset Council, highways, and the ambulance service to close down this event in a controlled way and ensure those attending are able to disperse safely.
‘We’re sorry for the disruption caused to so many residents by the selfish actions of the organisers of this event and those attending, knowing the problems it would cause and the ongoing risk to public health of large gatherings due to COVID-19. We will take appropriate action against those responsible and would ask anyone with evidence which could help to get in touch, quoting reference 1414 of 19 July.’