Police block roads to shut down illegal rave

Officers said the disturbance was "not acceptable"

Police have shut down an illegal rave that involved about 500 people.

Avon and Somerset Police were made aware of the event at about 01:45 GMT, and arrived in two areas, near Shipham and Rowberrow in the Mendips shortly after 02:00 GMT.

Road closures were put in place in an attempt to prevent any more people attending the two sites, officers said.

Police issued a dispersal notice ordering the music at the second location to be turned off no later than 09:00.

'Scant regard'

The majority of attendees have left the area, the music has been switched off and most of the road closures have been lifted.

Ch Insp Ian Norrie said while the location of the event was remote, the music could be heard by people living several miles away who were disturbed throughout the night, "which is not acceptable".

"To force hundreds of people to leave when it was dark and many were likely intoxicated could have made this situation more dangerous, not only to those involved, but also the local community," he said.

Ch Insp Norrie said: "We share their frustration because those who organised such an event have shown scant regard to the impact it would cause, nor the risks they were creating by having so many people at such an inappropriate location.

"Registration numbers of vehicles parked up at the event have been recorded to enable further inquiries to be carried out."