Coronavirus: Police identify 22 people they believe organised illegal rave in South Wales attended by 3,000
People are thought to have travelled hundreds of miles to attend the rave in Banwen, Neath Port Talbot over the bank holiday.
Monday 31 August 2020 21:25, UK
Police have identified 22 people they believe were responsible for organising an illegal rave in a rural Welsh village.
South Wales Police have reported the suspected organisers of the event in Banwen to the Welsh Government, which is imposing £10,000 fines.
The force has already handed out two £10,000 penalties in connection with the rave, which was attended by 3,000 people and caused misery for neighbouring residents.
A number of vehicles and pieces of music equipment were also seized from the site in Neath Port Talbot, a spokesman said.
Three people were arrested in connection with the rave - two for driving while unfit due to drugs or alcohol and one for a public order offence, they added.
"Only a handful" of attendees are still at the scene, with officers promising to stay there "until everyone has departed".
People are thought to have travelled hundreds of miles for the forest rave.
Pictures on social media showed dozens of people dancing at the outdoor event, which had a stage and large sound system, with people dressed in hi-viz jackets appearing to act as marshals.
It comes after new laws were put in place across England and Wales on Friday to enforce £10,000 fines on anyone found to have organised an unlicensed music event - which have becoming increasingly popular during the coronavirus outbreak.
Similar raves also took place in Norfolk, Essex and West Yorkshire over the bank holiday weekend, with several fines handed out, local forces said.
South Wales Police Assistant Chief Constable Dave Thorne said of the Banwen rave: "We have taken really proactive action against those who organised this.
"We responded as soon as we became aware of the event and we have had a police presence on site day and night and I would like to reassure local communities we acted as robustly as we can and we will continue to do so.
"We will now review footage of the event and if we can identify more offenders we will look to prosecute."
He described the incident as "extremely disappointing" and "disrespectful to our communities".