According to the Wiltshire police, 100-150 people attended an unlicensed music event on land belonging to the Ministry of Defence.
In the early hours of Sunday, November 30, the Wiltshire Police arrested three people on suspicion of drug-related offenses after halting a rave on property owned by the UK’s Ministry of Defence (MoD).
According to a police statement, authorities were called to the plot of land on Pear Tree Lane in Great Cheverell at 12:50am after receiving complaints from locals about prolonged “loud thumping noises.” Upon arrival, they found generators, a sizable sound system, and even staging elements.
Because the unlicensed music event (UME) took place on MoD soil, the police coordinated with military personnel to shut it down with as little disruption to the surrounding community as possible. The three individuals detained, including on suspicion of “drug driving,” have been released on bail while an investigation remains underway.
Superintendant James Brian said that police “responded swiftly to the multiple reports,” but that “some members of the public who were inconvenienced by the noise from the location.” He continued, “I’d like to reassure residents that we are committed to robustly addressing UME’s across Wiltshire and will take all proportionate action required to deal with individuals involved. On this occasion, we seized a large amount of sound equipment and generators from the site and further enquiries are currently ongoing around the UME.”
Hailed as the birthplace of rave, the UK has a long history of unlawful gatherings centered around DJs and dance music. During the acid house explosion, revelers would famously drive up and down the M25 Orbital Highway looking for free parties, and the group Orbital even took their name from the connective ring road.
The Wiltshire Police have not publicly shared information about the organizer of the unlawful rave in Great Cheverell.