MINISTRY of Defence property has been damaged by trespassers attending the illegal rave in East Lulworth.

MoD have reported damaged fences, chains cut, and a gate removed during the rave that took place on Easter Sunday.

The unauthorised gathering on military land reportedly lasted up to 14 hours, and saw police presence, helicopters circling and road closures across the area.

An MoD spokesperson said: “Access to the illegal rave was gained via two gates leading into Highwood Heath training area.

“The gates and fences will be repaired or replaced imminently, and discussions will take place to consider what further measures can be put in place to prevent this from happening again.”

Bournemouth Echo:

The rave is understood to have started just after midnight on Easter Sunday and quickly gathered a crowd of more than 1,000 people.

Dorset Police received numerous calls from concerned residents living up to 11 miles away, complaining of revellers, scattered vehicles and loud music.

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.

"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.”

Reacting to the event, 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.”

Bournemouth Echo:

The illegal rave was eventually dispersed by Dorset Police on Sunday evening, following hours of chaos.

Deputy chief constable Sam de Reya, of Dorset Police, said: "Throughout the incident we worked in partnership with other public sector and military agencies to achieve the positive resolution.

"Police officers entered the site and directed people to leave the scene of the unlawful gathering using powers under the Public Order Act.

"Due to the large scale of the event and the inherent impact of dispersing such [a] high number of people, this process took some time."