'It's disgraceful': Illegal rave left cattle traumatised and fields littered in glass

Video report by ITV News Meridian's Charlotte Wilkins


A farmer in Sussex has shared her disappointment at organisers of an illegal rave which she says "destroyed" the area.

Around two thousand people attended the event in a field in Steyning near Bostal Road in the early hours of Sunday (27 June).

Sussex Police shut down the event, arresting 90 people in one of the largest unplanned police operations by the force in recent years.

Claire Bower says her animals were left distressed and rubbish and broken glass was left all over the land.

A herd of cattle try to navigate their way around the intoxicated revellers.

She said: "The animals up here stampeded and were lost for hours.

"They got separated, the cows and calves, all got separated, it took hours to find them because they had hidden in some woods.

"They'll never recover, one the cows gave birth early because of it.

"It's disgraceful."

Cllr James Wright from Horsham District Council (Con) says a significant amount of damage has been caused to the natural habitat.

He said: "Lots of people were saying to us, well people can gather at Wembley or Wimbledon why can't we gather here?

"But the simple fact of the matter is this is a farm not a stadium, and the field they used is an ancient chalk grassland it's one of the UK's rarest habitats .

"They"ve trashed all of the wildflowers, they've done huge amount of damage to the natural habitat up here."


During the incident, one police officer was assaulted while attempting to detain an individual resisting arrest.

A police community support officer was also treated for a suspected broken arm following a collision involving a police car and a vehicle being driven by someone leaving the event.

Of the 90 arrests, 79 were for motoring offences, drink or drug-driving, or failing to provide a specimen for analysis.

Of the 79 arrested for driving offences, seven have been charged to court, while the remaining 72 have been bailed or released under investigation pending further enquiries.

A further 11 arrests were made for public nuisance and disorder offences.

A number of vehicles were seized, as well as equipment including speakers, staging, lights and generators.

Cars can be seen parked all along narrow country lanes during the rave.

Chief Superintendent Howard Hodges said: “The deplorable actions of those who organised and attended this event – in the grip of a global pandemic – cannot go unnoticed.

“In particular, I am appalled by the large number of attendees suspected of driving to or from the event whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

"Drink and drug-driving is one of the five most common causes of fatal and serious injury collisions on our roads, and it is only thanks to the swift response of our officers that we were able to intercept so many suspects – potentially preventing a considerable number of casualties.”