Video shows revellers and police clash at Twyford Woods illegal rave

Video footage has emerged from the illegal rave over Bank Holiday weekend in Lincolnshire, which saw a total of 43 people arrested, exposing clashes and violence between revellers and police.

The video contains strong language from the start. Viewers’ discretion is advised.

The rave at Twyford Woods off the A1 near Bourne began on the evening of Saturday, May 23.

Lincolnshire Police carried out an operation on Sunday, May 24 between 7.30pm and 9.15pm to bring the illegal gathering safely to an end.

During the event, which was attended by an estimated 1,000 people at its height, officers attempting to disperse the crowd were attacked by some 200 ravers with bottles and other items.

Raw footage taken by Chris Shaw, a young documentary maker, shows people at the event throwing missiles at police and riot vans. Read his impressions of the illegal rave.

See more footage from the rave in the latest video roundup here

Other officers are seen holding a line of revellers back and dodging incoming missiles from the crowd, while a man is taking a selfie with the scene. Screenshot: Chris Shaw

Three police officers were treated at hospital for injuries caused by missiles thrown. A further 18 officers reported minor injuries and a police dog was also hit.

One police officer was struck by a car, which reportedly dragged him on the bonnet for a number of yards.

A man who identifies himself as Robin Williams spoke to film maker Chris Shaw about his injuries after the clash with police.

A man wearing full body armour, who identifies himself as Robin Williams, claims that he was just walking by and got injured by police officers, suffering two broken teeth, facials cuts and bruises, and a leg injury.

A number of vehicles, as well as generators and amplification equipment, were seized during police operations.

Police seized generators and other equipment. Screenshot: Chris Shaw

Throughout the night, the police are shown trying to push back the line of people at the illegal rave, with continued taunts and bottles thrown from the crowd. Screenshot: Chris Shaw

Revellers are seen repeatedly jumping on and kicking the police vehicles. One man appears to slash or deflate the front tyre of a police van and an officer swoops in, with what looks like a kick.

A local woman and her dog is seen in front of the police line of vans shouting at the revellers to stop throwing bottles at the police.

Back at the riot van where the man is deflating a tyre, an officer swoops in and appears to kick the man. Screenshot: Chris Shaw

The crowd retaliate and throe bottles at the officers who retreat in the police van.

Screenshot: Chris Shaw

As more police vans are arrive on site, officers slowly push the reluctant ravers out of the way.

During the next day dozens of police officers are seen arriving on site in riot gear and vans slowly moving in. Screenshot: Chris Shaw

Chris also shot a short film which was aired on BBC Three in March 2015. The video goes behind the scenes at a rave organised by his friends in New Year’s Eve 2014. You can watch it here.

Police condemn illegal rave

Deputy Chief Constable Heather Roach said on Tuesday, May 26: “The incident at Twyford Woods on Saturday evening through to the morning of Sunday, May 24 was a disgrace.

“21 police officers were injured. Thankfully most of the injuries were minor involving soft tissue injuries, cuts and scratches.

“Three officers, two from Derbyshire and one from Lincolnshire required hospital treatment, they have since been discharged. The worst of the injuries was a suspected broken jaw which luckily turned out not to be broken.

“Illegal parties sometimes known as raves are just that, illegal. One of the core responsibilities and aims of the police is to make sure that people are safe. Gatherings such as this are not safe.

“There are no safety assessments or plans. Equipment to tackle fires or medical emergencies are generally non-existent. Crowd control measures such as barriers to prevent people being crushed or suffocated are not present and access to the sites for the emergency services such as the Ambulance Service or the Fire and Rescue Service are inadequate.

“The difference between this type of gathering and a legitimate party or rave can be demonstrated by comparing it to a music event taking place in Lincolnshire over the weekend involving around 5,000 people which passed off without any major problems. I would encourage people to attend events like this where they will be much safer.

“Given that proceedings are now active with suspects charged with a variety of offences I can’t comment on the fine detail of what happened but it is fair to say that my officers encountered a very violent situation.

“In order to provide policing cover at various other events throughout Lincolnshire over the Bank holiday weekend we had additional resources available courtesy of our colleagues in other East Midlands forces. In spite of this we still had to call in additional officers from other parts of the country.

“At one point some three hundred officers were involved.

“I must thank the residents and businesses who live and are located in the area of this incident for their patience and understanding.

“People passing through the country were also affected when we had to close the A1 because people attending the illegal rave had parked alongside that very busy road and were putting themselves and passing motorists in danger

“The full cost of the operation cannot be counted until the ongoing investigation has been concluded and the offenders have been brought to justice. However it will run into thousands of pounds.

“Our investigation will continue and it will be thorough and far reaching. I would ask that anyone with any information about it or who witnessed what happened makes contact with us via the 101 non-emergency number or via Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.”