COVID-19: Party-goers who 'swarmed' West Sussex beauty spot convicted over rave that broke coronavirus rules
The music event was held last June in a field on the South Downs near Steyning, West Sussex, with up to 2,000 people in attendance - despite coronavirus rules that only allowed gatherings of 30 people.
Wednesday 2 February 2022 11:39, UK
More than 30 people have been convicted for drink and drug-driving related offences after going to a rave that broke coronavirus rules on the South Downs.
The music event was held last June near Steyning, West Sussex, with up to 2,000 people in attendance - most of whom had travelled from outside the area.
Under COVID restrictions at the time, gatherings could only include up to 30 people unless they were covered by a legal exemption.
Live COVID updates from the UK and around the world
When police arrived, they arrested almost 90 people and intercepted drivers as they tried to escape.
The 31 party-goers convicted so far have driving bans totalling nearly 40 years, according to Sussex Police, but investigations continue into those who organised the event.
They include those who had consumed ketamine, cocaine, MDMA and cannabis, as well as those who had come from Devon, Wales, and Sheffield to attend the event.
Chief Inspector Michael Hodder said: "Steyning, a beautiful place in Sussex, was overrun by those that were determined to hold an illegal music event.
"Of course once the police arrive people will starburst and people will run because they don't want to get caught by the police.
"Now if you're at a music event and you've taken drugs and you're running from the police, you jump in your car and you drive under the influence - and that's what we saw, in abundance."
He said the party-goers "swarmed" on the South Downs and caused "no end of distress" to residents, as well as posing a danger to people on the roads.
Pictures and video on social media appeared to show crowds dancing in a field in front of speakers that were pumping out music, while drone footage showed large numbers of cars lined up along county rounds in the area.
Eight people were previously arrested for allegedly organising the event, while a "large volume" of music equipment was seized.
Two police vehicles were involved in collisions with other vehicles while they were dealing with the event.
Various roads were shut as police dealt with the incident and stopped cars leaving the area to check that drivers were not intoxicated.