Forest of Dean: Police disperse rave due to coronavirus risks

Police have broken up a rave in the Forest of Dean and are asking people to stay away from the area as there are health and safety risks.

Gloucestershire Constabulary told PA news agency they had responded to calls about a "large volume" of people in the area.

"Police are currently in the Forest of Dean near to Speculation Car Park dispersing a rave.

"People are advised not to attend the area due to safety and Covid risks," they tweeted.

Officers said it would "likely take some time" to resolve the incident.

A spokesperson for the force later said the operation had been "relatively successful" and was "coming to a close".

No details on arrests have been given.

Police across the UK have been fighting to shut down raves during the pandemic. More than 500 illegal parties were organised in London over July, according to the Metropolitan Police.

Last month, Avon and Somerset Police were unable to break up a rave attended by over 3,000 people in Bath, as the risks were "too great". The dance party was so loud that residents in Bristol, five miles away, could hear the noise throughout the night.

In June, two parties in Greater Manchester were attended by a total of 6,000 people. An 18-year-old woman was raped and three people were stabbed at one event, while a 20-year-old man died of a suspected drug overdose at the rave on the opposite side of the city.

Gatherings of more than 30 people are prohibited under coronavirus restrictions in England, with exceptions for specific events following public health rules.

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