Five arrested after police shut down illegal ‘Covid Rave’ and seize musical equipment and suspected class A drugs

Northumbria Police have arrested four men on suspicion of drug and public order offences and a fifth man for trespassing, while all five, aged 30, 27, 26, 23 and 23 have been reported for breaching Coronavirus legislation after officers shut down an illegal rave on Saturday, January 30.

Hundreds of tickets had been sold advising revellers to travel to the rural countryside and await instruction for a more specific location, but officers shut the event down before it started.

The ‘Covid Rave’ was set to take place in a derelict building in Northumberland, but ‘party-goers’ who did arrive at the scene late on Saturday evening were faced with a swarm of police officers.

Northumbria Police seized musical equipment, nitrous oxide and small quantities of suspected Class A drugs, with the support of officers at Durham Constabulary.

Enquiries into the organisation of the event is ongoing and police say a number of further Coronavirus breaches will be processed in the coming days.

Assistant Chief Constable Neil Hutchison, of Northumbria Police said: “Our investigation into this event is well under way and not only have we made a number of arrests, but we have conducted searches at four properties in our force area.

“This event was widely marketed, flyers were distributed and tickets were sold to hundreds of people. It would be illegal even if we were not in the midst of the pandemic.

“But to host a rave while the entire region works hard to combat the spread of Coronavirus is wholly irresponsible and incredibly dangerous.

“Our communities are working hard to keep the most vulnerable among us safe and this type of behaviour undermines all of the sacrifices being made.

“Those behind this event will be dealt with robustly but those who bought tickets are not blameless and should consider the fact they could be risking the lives of their loved ones.”

The five men arrested have all been released under investigation pending further enquiries.

Police are asking anyone with information about the rave, or any other unlicensed events, to report it online at the ‘Tell Us Something’ pages of their website.

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