AROUND 500 people are believed to have attended an unlicensed rave in Somerset.

Police were first called to a ‘rural’ site near Shipham and Rowberrow at around 1.45am on Friday morning (December 27).

“Road closures were put in place in an attempt to prevent any more people attending, but it was estimated there were up to 500 persons already present split across two sites in close proximity to one another,” an Avon & Somerset Police spokesperson said.

“More people arrived in a number of vehicles and were turned away.

“Efforts were made by officers to engage with those believed to be involved in organising the event to bring it to a safe conclusion, and shortly before 6am sound equipment was voluntarily packed away by those involved at one of the sites.”

Police issued a dispersal notice ordering the music at the second location to be turned off no later than 9am, with officers staying at the sites throughout the morning as people left.

Chief Inspector Ian Norrie said: “Officers attending in the early hours of the morning faced really challenging circumstances due to the rural location, as well as pitch-black and foggy conditions.

“Following positive engagement, music at one of the sites was turned off overnight and we issued a dispersal notice in order to bring the second part to a safe conclusion, as soon as it was light enough to do so.

“To force hundreds of people to leave when it was dark and many were likely intoxicated could have made this situation more dangerous, not only to those involved, but also the local community, which would have been a risk we were not prepared to take. Public safety must always be our priority.”

He added: “We are grateful to everyone who called in the early hours and made us aware of this incident.

“While the location of this event was remote, the music could be heard by people living several miles away who have been disturbed throughout the night, which is not acceptable.

“We share their frustration because those who organised such an event have shown scant regard to the impact it would cause, nor the risks they were creating by having so many people at such an inappropriate location.

“Registration numbers of vehicles parked up at the event have been recorded to enable further enquiries to be carried out.”