Police halt rave in Brighton park
Police stopped a rave in a Brighton park, seizing sound equipment and arresting three men.
About 50 people had gathered in Stanmer Park when Sussex Police made the arrests.
It was one of three raves halted in the space of less than three hours involving people from Brighton and taking place in or near the town.
The force said that they stopped the Stanmer Park rave at about 12.40am yesterday (Sunday 29 June).
Those arrested were a 26-year-old from Brighton, a 23-year-old from Hastings and a 28-year-old from Brighton.
They were arrested on suspicion of conspiring to commit a public nuisance but have been released without charge.
Earlier, on Saturday night (28 June) at about 10pm, officers were alerted to a rave being set up in nearby Falmer.
The six men they arrested were
- a 27-year-old from Brighton
- a 29-year-old from Brighton
- a 30-year-old with no fixed address
- a 29-year-old from Billingshurst
- a 24-year-old from Horsham
- a 29-year-old from Horsham
The 29-year-old from Horsham was also held on suspicion of having a knife.
They have all been bailed until Monday 28 July while investigations continue.
A significant amount of sound equipment was seized by police, the force said.
The third rave was also being set up at about 10pm on Saturday in Wivelsfield, in the Burgess Hill area, with people arriving as the police moved in.
They arrested a 26-year-old man from Brighton, a 23-year-old man from Peacehaven and a 24-year-old man from Seaford.
They were held on suspicion of conspiring to commit a public nuisance and have all have been bailed until Friday 22 August.
Their sound equipment was also seized.
Superintendent Jim Bartlett said: “These calls came in thanks to members of the public who were concerned and alerted us to the potential raves.
“We acted swiftly to stop them before they started or were able to grow in size.
“We are asking people to be our eyes and ears to potential raves.
“Keep an eye on access points to land and make sure they are secure.
“Please report any locks which have been broken or removed.
“Report any vehicles driving off-road, groups of vehicles in rural areas, convoys of vehicles and loud music in remote locations.”
