Illegal Boxing Day rave gridlocks Dartmoor roads for more than 24 hours before police are able to shut it down
- Revellers gathered at a remote spot at at Cadover Bridge, Devon, on Thursday
- Police closed down the event after attendees’ cars caused gridlock nearby
- Officers said an ambulance was prevented from attending a ‘medical incident’
Police have shut down an illegal Boxing Day rave that gridlocked the roads around Dartmoor and blocked an ambulance from getting to a ‘medical incident’.
Revellers congregated at a remote spot at at Cadover Bridge, Devon, on Thursday evening and set up a makeshift stage and sound system, leaving abandoned cars that caused chaos on surrounding streets.
Devon and Cornwall police were forced to attend to keep order and to ensure the safety of both revellers and local residents.
One reveller described the party as a ‘celebration of youths getting together’, and inspired by ‘Brexit’ and ‘EU things’.
Revellers congregated at a remote spot at at Cadover Bridge, Devon, on Thursday evening
Police said all roads around Cadover Bridge on Dartmoor were blocked by a ‘large scale illegal rave’
Devon and Cornwall police were forced to attend to keep order and to ensure the safety of both revellers and local residents
Police said all roads around Cadover Bridge on Dartmoor were blocked by a ‘large scale illegal rave’
Officers managed to shut down the event shortly after 3pm.
Chief Supt Matt Longman said: ‘We attended the scene and worked with individuals to bring about closing the event down.
‘Roads were gridlocked and there was limited access for emergency vehicles to attend should they be needed.
‘There was at least one medical incident that we could not get an ambulance to, this person was eventually taken to hospital. This highlights the importance of maintaining public safety.
Two attendees walking down the wet road before the illegal rave was brought to a close
A couple walking along the path near to the Boxing Day rave that was recently closed down
‘We have now re-opened roads as members of the public leave the location and the area is cleared.’
Police made two arrests. A 27-year-old man from Kingskwerwell was arrested on suspicion of driving whilst under the influence.
An 18-year-old man from Winterslow, Wiltshire, was arrested on suspicion of possession of a controlled drug – Class A and Class C.
One party-goer, who wanted to be known as Ross, had insisted earlier that the attendees would leave no trace when they left.
Revellers set up a makeshift stage and sound system, leaving abandoned cars that caused chaos on surrounding streets (pictured: An attendee at the rave)
Chief Supt Matt Longman said: ‘We attended the scene and worked with individuals to bring about closing the event down’
One party-goer, who wanted to be known as Ross, had insisted earlier that the attendees would leave no trace when they left
Ross said: ‘Everyone that you see here will be extremely incorporated with the Extinction Rebellion protesters and do not want to see anything wrong happening with Mother Earth’
‘Roads were gridlocked and there was limited access for emergency vehicles to attend should they be needed,’ Chief Supt Matt Longman said
He said: ‘We will never leave mess.
‘Everyone that you see here will be extremely incorporated with the Extinction Rebellion protesters and do not want to see anything wrong happening with Mother Earth.
‘It’s just us coming on public land, having a party, cleaning up, leaving, nothing is left.’
Devon and Cornwall Police officers sent people away from the gathering and were said to be breathalysing a number of people.
Chief Supt Longman had said: ‘Our concerns are both for the people in attendance and the impact on the local community.’