Illegal raves shut down in Portsmouth and Warsash

ILLEGAL raves had to be shut down in the city and surrounding areas this weekend.
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The gatherings happened across the weekend in Canoe Lake in Southsea and Warsash.

Community wardens from Portsmouth City Council were called to the event at Canoe Lake on Sunday.

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Resident Norman Glass said there were about ‘20 to 30 people around the sound desk’ and ‘up to 300 people’ around the park.

Canoe Lake and the Pier, Southsea. Picture: Trev HarmanCanoe Lake and the Pier, Southsea. Picture: Trev Harman
Canoe Lake and the Pier, Southsea. Picture: Trev Harman

Portsmouth City Councillor Lee Hunt, cabinet member for community safety told The News: ‘The wardens got reports on Sunday afternoon of large groups of people and music and there was only two of them so they negotiated to have the music speakers turned down and for it to finish at 10.30pm.

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‘I believe the police also turned up but the problem is for both the police and the council is that resources are stretched and have been reduced greatly.

‘We have to deal with the issues while also preventing a public order incident.’

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Cllr Hunt reminded anyone thinking of hosting or going to a gathering that ‘we are still in a Covid environment’.

In Warsash, police broke up a rave and warned people to remember the rules as the country continues to face the Covid-19 pandemic.

The post on Fareham Police’s Facebook page said: ‘A well-organised attempt was made to have large gathering unlicensed music event around the Warsash area between woodland and the coast.

‘Negating its illegal activity, I want people to remember we are still faced with the concerns and real risk Covid-19 presents.

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‘It is socially irresponsible to arrange and attend such events even if out of the way.’

The post added: ‘I would ask those of you who have a child a brother, sister or friend to think of the risks.

‘I ask you to have the conversation in respect of what happens if someone takes an illegal substance and has an adverse effect or gets so drunk they have no control over their actions.

‘We are not the spoil-fun police and know the frustrations people have faced with lockdown.

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‘In my career I have delivered many sad messages to loved ones, it is one of the worst parts of the job and never gets any easier.’

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