Residents react to illegal rave in East Lulworth, Dorset

A police presence remained in East Lulworth on Monday, April 18, after more than 1,000 people attended an ‘unauthorised gathering’ on land near military training camps which reportedly lasted up to 14 hours.

On Monday morning, around a dozen revellers were still congregated on the B3070, which was closed for most of Sunday, having stayed overnight – angering some residents who took it upon themselves to pick up litter left along roadside verges.

• Read more: Noise heard for 11 miles and people "passed out" in cars

The rave is understood to have taken place near a field used for military training purposes, starting after midnight on Sunday. Around five officials from the military Bovington Training Centre at Highwood Heath were at the scene on Monday.

One resident said he was picking litter along the B3070 because he “didn’t want to have to keep driving past and see all the rubbish they left behind.”

Resident picking up litter after illegal rave in East Lulworth

He also said he wished the military could have been on site at the time to disperse the ravers.

However, a couple litter picking close to their home were less angered by the incident. A woman said: “I woke up at around quarter to two and could see flashing lights so I assumed there had been an accident.

“Police were brilliant. They kept control and kept us informed. We knew they couldn’t just go in and turn the music off, they didn’t have the manpower to shut that sort of thing down.”

• Read more: Live updates as police deal with rave in East Lulworth

Her husband added: “There were a few camper vans parked near our house and in fairness there was no rubbish left by them. I think it’s worth saying that you can’t moan at all of them.

“I don’t want a rave next door, but I’m cautious about ripping into them because I’m sure the bulk were okay. A lot were just youngsters out to have a good time, they weren’t trying to cause trouble or be bad people. I certainly didn’t feel threatened by anyone.”

Illegal rave in East Lulworth, Dorset. Pictures: Graham Hunt

One resident reportedly spent around two hours of Sunday evening helping a reveller find their car.

Despite music reportedly being heard as far as 11 miles away, some residents living just over one mile south of the rave say they heard nothing.

An elderly couple who live near the Weld Arms pub said they were “completely unaware” of anything happening in the area.

Another resident said: “Everybody in Wool heard it, Sandford heard it and people in Lytchett Minster heard it. The sound clearly spread far over there and not here for some reason. I suppose the wind carried the noise the other way. We didn’t hear a thing.”

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: “Throughout the night and day police supported by partner agencies including the MOD, Dorset Council, Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue and other public services worked hard to deal with the risks and impacts on the local community and bring the event to a safe conclusion.”