VIDEO: Aerial footage shows full extent of mass ‘rave’

Anyone planning to attend or organise an unlicensed music event this summer can expect to face the full force of the law.

This is the message issued by Sussex Police after two people admitted to playing a significant role at a ‘rave’ in Steyning which hugely impacted force resources.

Around 90 arrests were made after officers responded to the scene and intercepted motorists in Bostal Road and the surrounding areas overnight on 27 and 28 June, 2021.

Over the following months, more than 60 individuals were convicted of traffic offences including drink-driving and drug-driving.

And now a further two people have been convicted for offences directly linked to the set-up of the ‘rave’.

Declan Barnes, 27, of Grange Court, Hanham, Gloucestershire, pleaded guilty to causing a public nuisance (namely being involved in transporting equipment to the rave).

At Lewes Crown Court on 22 April, he was given an 18-month suspended sentence. He was also fined £200 and subject to a forfeiture order on seized music equipment (speakers, Amps and Digital DJ Decks).

Andrew Fealty, 37, of Curzon Road, Bournemouth, Poole, previously admitted the same offence and has been bailed pending sentencing on 20 May.

With two bank holidays approaching, police are reminding the public of their zero-tolerance approach towards unlicensed music events.

Assistant Chief Constable Howard Hodges said: “Our significant response to this event demonstrated that this sort of behaviour will absolutely not be tolerated in Sussex, and that anyone planning to attend or organise any future events of this nature can expect to face the same level of police response.

“Whilst we had no prior intelligence of this event taking place, and our subsequent investigations revealed the vast majority of attendees came from outside of Sussex, both these convictions and the forfeiture of associated sound equipment sends a really clear message that Sussex Police and the residents of Sussex will not tolerate this behaviour; we will always work with partners and landowners to prevent it from happening again and, as demonstrated, will be robust in our response which will include holding people to account through the courts however long it may take to do so.”

During the course of the investigation, the following people were also summonsed for causing a public nuisance, but their participation was deemed insufficient and so had their cases dismissed:

• Paul Rummey, 41, of Holly Drive, Old Basing, Hampshire.
• Arron John, 30, of Broadmoor, Kilgetty, Pembrokeshire.

• Rhodri Munro, 39, of Curzon Road, Bournemouth, Dorset.
• Maxwell Cafferata, 23, of Granville Way, Sherborne, Dorset.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Paul Tonks, said: “A huge number of officers and staff from Sussex Police and neighbouring forces were committed to this operation on the day. As arrests accumulated and traffic problems ensued, it caused a significant strain on our resources.

“It also had a major impact on the Steyning community. This was during COVID restrictions when no more than small groups were allowed to meet. After noise levels affected residents, they then had a day of lingering revellers risking spread of the virus, followed by the wide-scale effect upon the environment. Local teams formed to deal with litter and pollution. There was extensive damage caused to agricultural land and distress caused to livestock.

“I hope the end result reassures the public that we are committed to bringing offenders for such matters to justice. Action will be taken against anyone responsible for any such future events.”