RAVE HORROR
Man, 20, dies of ‘drug overdose’, woman, 18, raped and three stabbed as thousands gather for ‘quarantine’ raves
A MAN in his 20s has died from a suspected drug overdose following illegal "quarantine raves" in Oldham and Manchester which also saw three people stabbed.
Greater Manchester Police are also investigating reports an 18-year-old woman was raped at a rave in Carrington.
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Police said the event in in Failsworth, Oldham, was attended by 4,000 people and in Carrington they estimate around 2,000 people attended the party at its peak.
Assistant Chief Constable Chris Sykes, said: “These raves were illegal and I condemn them taking place - they were clearly a breach of coronavirus legislation and guidelines, and have had tragic consequences."
Speaking about the event in Failsworth, the Assistant Chief Constable said there were no reported incidents of further crime but a 20-year-old man passed away from a suspected drug overdose. Specialist officers are currently providing support for the man's family.
There were three separate reported stabbings at the event in Carrington, including one where an 18-year-old man was left with life threatening injuries.
“Police officers managed to safely enter the crowds, locate the man and administer life-saving first aid before paramedics arrived," said the Assistant Chief Constable.
"There is no doubt in my mind that the actions of those officers provided essential treatment to the man now in hospital and I would like to thank them for their efforts.
“Two other men – aged 25 and 26 – were also left with injuries after these separate assaults. A 25-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon and enquiries remain ongoing to locate the suspects involved in these incidents. I would also ask anyone with footage that could assist our enquiries to upload them to scd.cctv.gmp.police.uk so that our team can review it.
“We are also investigating the rape of an 18-year-old woman who attended this event and we have specialist officers supporting her and her family whilst enquiries are ongoing to trace the suspect."
POLICE CAR VANDALISED
Cops attempting to shut down the illegal raves were met with violence, resulting in "items being thrown" and a police car was vandalised.
The Assistant Chief Constable added that the force experienced a surge in emergency calls over the weekend with a 60 per cent increase in demand via 999 calls from 5pm yesterday to 4am this morning.
“The demand from 101 calls also increased with 526 calls received between 11pm last night through to 4am this morning," he said.
"We usually expect approximately 271 of those 101 calls. This also doesn’t account for reports made via our website or LiveChat facility so clearly the demand on Greater Manchester Police this weekend has been significant and continues to be."
Police thanked members of the public for assisting the local authorities with cleaning up litter that was left behind.
Shocking pictures showed a sea of rubbish at a "Quarantine Rave" in Daisy Nook Country Park, an Oldham beauty spot.
The park was covered in empty bottles, nitrous oxide canisters, glass bottles and plastic bags.
Residents - including members of the park's friends group - have been there since 5am clearing up.
MP for Ashton-under-Lyne Angela Rayner said she was out with a charity in Oldham "dealing with the illegal rave" at Daisy Nook.
In response to the illegal raves, one woman wrote: "Firstly, we've all been isolating for absolutely no reason if these idiots have all been out raving.
"Secondly, look at all that mess that will have such a negative impact on the environment and wildlife on our beautiful country park."
Another woman said: "Hope the parents of the young people who attended this make them go help clear it up, absolutely disgusting behaviour."
Hundreds more were seen gathering at another "quarantine rave" in Leeds. West Yorkshire Police were called out to a motorway bridge near Leeds after being alerted to a huge gathering.
Cops were stunned to find huge crowds of young people dressed in party gear crammed inside the concrete tunnel dancing to rave music.
They were jammed together without masks or gloves dancing to rave music by the light of their mobile phones.
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The partygoers were filmed chanting “F*** the police" - the chorus from NWA's notorious anti law and order anthem.
Police eventually broke up the party shortly after midnight, in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Disgruntled teens were seen walking home along one of Britain's busiest roads.
One girl dressed in party gear was heard saying: “We got shut down. We got shut down.” While another sang: “Lock down. Lock down.”
But trouble then spilled into a service station at the side of the M1 at junction 45 as fights broke out. Police were seen separating brawling men as girls in miniskirts and crop tops look on.
They should fine every one of them.
They obviously don’t care about catching the virus and giving it to their parents or grandparents
Cops had to close the motorway for a three hours after partygoers used the carriageway to walk home.
Ironically, the disturbances took place only a stones throw from the area's main testing centre for the virus.
One local said: “They were all young people – fed up and bored so they don’t care anymore. I can't believe they would be so stupid and selfish. They should fine every one of them.
"They obviously don’t care about catching the virus and giving it to their parents or grandparents.”
Sacha Lord, who runs Parklife Festival and club nights at Manchester’s Warehouse Project, tweeted: “If you are one of the morons who attended one of the illegal raves, you are a disgrace.
“You’ve now put yourselves, your friends, your families and loved ones at risk. You aren’t clubbers. Just selfish idiots.”
A third rave took place in Leeds on Saturday night. Cops found a “huge crowd” of people, without masks, inside a concrete tunnel off the M1 dancing to electronic music.
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Police had to close the motorway for three hours after party-goers spilled on to the carriageway.
The Government banned mass gatherings at the start of the coronavirus outbreak in a bid to slow the spread of the disease.
Boris Johnson announced at the end of May changes to the lockdown rules to allow groups of up to six people to meet outside as long as they maintain social distancing measures.
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