Police Officers Assaulted As Thousands Travel Across UK To Illegal Rave

Police officers have been assaulted by members of the public gathering at an illegal rave which continued for hours overnight in Cornwall.

Officers were forced to cordon off the area surrounding the gathering at Davidstow Moor, near Camelford, after thousands of people travelled from across the UK to take part.

Music began booming from speakers at around 10pm last night (3 June), and attendees showed no signs of stopping as tracks continued to play at 9am today.

Hundreds of cars lined the roads surrounding the site, according to Delabole photographer Adrian Jasper, who told Cornwall Live he'd spoken with people who had come from as far as Scotland and Oxfordshire to take part.

He said: "One bloke getting out of his car said he’s driven 400 miles and can’t get in.

"There’s cars, tents, people camping, people sat in their cars drinking, boots loaded with camping gear. I’ve never seen anything like it.

"The police are stopping people getting in, with officers apparently drafted in from Plymouth."

Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed a number of assaults against police officers on the scene, and said some attendees are still hoping to get into the area despite it being blocked off by police.

Images from the event show huge speakers and a pirate-themed banner on display, with dozens of tents set up nearby.

A spokesperson from the force told Cornwall Live: "The event is currently covering quite a large area and we believe there are several hundred people in attendance.

"A number of people have left this morning and others attempting to enter have been turned away."

“In the interest of public safety, we are asking anyone thinking about attending the event not to do so. I would like to reassure the local communities and wider public that we are taking this matter seriously and where appropriate, we will seek to action against those attending and running the event," the spokesperson continued.

Locals in the area complained about the music after it started blaring out overnight, with many saying they were woken up by the noise after it got louder at around 4am.

Resident Kate O'Kearney said the music increased in volume again at around 7.45am, saying: "I'm a light sleeper so I've heard it all night.

"It's actually louder now than it was at midnight. I'm no kill joy and love to see people enjoying themselves. My only concern is there are hundreds of sheep and horses up there. They must be very traumatised."

Jasper said the people he has spoken to have 'not been disrespectful', adding: “They’re cheerful and happy, seem to be out enjoying themselves, I do get that.”

It is thought that none of the police officers assaulted by the public suffered serious injuries.