Illegal woodland rave on Easter Sunday forces police to shut major road

An illegal woodland rave been shut down after a police raid in West Sussex this morning.

Cars lined the country lane where partygoers had flocked for an ‘unlicensed music event’ in Charlton Wood, north of Chichester.

One witness said they saw a couple of hundred cars parked nearby, but aerial images show far fewer.

Police earlier estimated there were 3,000 people in attendance. This figure has since been removed from their social media.

At least one person was seen handcuffed in a police van, Metro understands. Police have closed the A286 road.

Superintendent Shane Baker said: ‘We acted swiftly to identify the woodland site when we were alerted that people were making their way to a rave in the county.

‘Officers are there attempting to identify and liaise with the organisers of the illegal gathering.

‘Our priority is ensuring the safety of the community and those in the vicinity as we assess how the rave can be closed down safely and effectively.

‘Where offences are seen to be committed we will take action and this will include road traffic offences.

‘We appreciate that this is impacting on the local community and we thank them for their patience and cooperation as we look to close down this illegal event as soon as possible.’

This is a popular time of year for illegal outdoor raves. Two events drew hundreds of people out to Exmoor last Easter, resulting in gridlocked roads and two arrests.

Around 1,000 were kicked out of an disused Wickes DIY store in Bristol last October. Two people were also arrested there.

Police said the organisers of the Halloween event ‘acted in a wholly irresponsible manner’.

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