Police called to Lulworth illegal rave on Easter Sunday

More than 1,000 people were at the 'unauthorised gathering' on land near East Lulworth, with Dorset Police officers spending hours at the scene in an attempt to break it up and disperse the crowds.

The event is understood to have started just after midnight on Easter Sunday, with reports of hundreds of cars and vehicles travelling through the small village en route to the event.

Vehicles were also seen parked on verges, with residents reporting some revellers in their gardens and music vibrating through walls all night.

• Read more: Illegal rave at East Lulworth dispersed by Dorset Police

Illegal rave in Dorset. Photo by Graham Hunt

One person said they had seen party-goers "passed out", with people coming and going throughout the early hours.

An East Lulworth resident told the Daily Echo: "The village is full of people who have clearly been to the rave. There are cars all over the place, people passed out in laybys.

"I’ve probably seen a good 50-100 people walking through.

"My neighbour told me she caught four people in her back garden."

Read more: Live updates as Dorset Police deal with rave in East Lulworth

The rave could be heard by people in Wareham and even as far away as Lytchett Fields, which is 11 miles from East Lulworth.

A Wareham couple living six miles away from the rave site said: “This isn’t a vague background noise, it is clearly audible inside even with the doors and windows closed - and drowns out all other sounds.

Illegal rave in Dorset. Photo by Graham Hunt

"We understand that the ravers are having fun, but they are doing so at the expense of every single person living within a 10-mile radius.”

Last night, Dorset Police confirmed they had dispersed the rave at East Lulworth.

South East Purbeck councillor Cherry Brooks said: “It’s disrespectful, especially because it’s happened on Easter Sunday. Many people within the area have family visiting - and a lot of people couldn’t get any sleep. It woke me up around 4am.

“It’s thoughtless behaviour.”

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said they had received a number of calls from concerned residents.

Officers were working closely with fire services, Dorset Council, Ministry of Defence and other agencies to deal with the incident, they added.

Roads were closed around East Lulworth for hours.

Read more: Residents disturbed by illegal rave at Lulworth

Dorset Police deputy chief constable, Sam de Reya said: “Understandably, we have received a number of calls from concerned and upset residents who have had their sleep disturbed by the noise levels coming from the illegal event.

“Anyone trying to access the area will be prevented from doing so and directed to leave immediately.

“We are fully aware of the distress and disruption that is being caused to residents and visitors, many of whom have experienced consistent loud noise coming from the site.

"On a busy holiday weekend such an unauthorised event is negatively impacting on local Easter events, businesses and the rural community causing disruption as well as distress to livestock on farmland."

She added: “It will come as no surprise that emergency services are already busy on a beautiful sunny Easter weekend and such irresponsible behaviour is adding to the demand.

“We are keen to hear from anyone with information about those involved in organising the event or who has witnessed offences committed. I would like to thank the public for reporting the issue to us and appreciate their patience while the matter is being resolved.

“Again, I would like to send a direct message to those at the event – you are trespassing, please leave and go home immediately.”