'Not a place for families': Locals left 'trapped in their homes' by illegal Easter rave in beauty spot

1 April 2024, 11:21

The Easter Sunday rave
The Easter Sunday rave. Picture: Facebook

By Kit Heren

Residents of a picturesque village were said to have felt "trapped in their homes" on Easter Sunday as an illegal rave took place.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Hundreds of revellers parked cars and vans near the Somerset village of Watchet on Exmoor, and set up speakers to blast out loud dance music at 6am.

Footage from the scene showed a makeshift stage, and partygoers wearing rabbit-themed costumes.

Their music was said to have been audible for miles around.

Read more: Four rushed to hospital after huge illegal rave where 'semi-conscious bodies' were seen lying on the road

Read more: Illegal rave of more than 1,000 partygoers in Dorset village takes a day to shut down

One resident said that locals felt "trapped in their homes", telling ITV that they were concerned for people's safety.

Another said: "Exmoor is sadly not a place for families to visit today.

"The volume of music is incredibly loud and can be heard for miles and miles."

A third person said that the party had ruined the quiet solitude of their "great ride".

Police were criticised for not shutting the illegal party down sooner.

One person said: "These events will never be controlled unless overwhelming resources - military & police - are planned AND despatched - Police should NEVER be overwhelmed."

Avon and Somerset Police said on Sunday: "We received a call at around 6am relating to an unlicensed music event in the Luxborough area, near Watchet.

"Officers were on the scene within 15 minutes to find the event already under way with several hundred people in attendance.

"Our officers remain at the site and have been engaging with individuals attending the event.

"They have also been engaging with members of the public and providing community reassurance."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Fruit flavoured disposable vapes for sale in a West End store in London.

Disposable vape ban comes into force - but will it be enough to cut 'avalanche' of litter?

A detailed closeup shows a hand holding a cigarette with smoke rising, reflecting todays smoking culture

Where can I smoke and vape in the UK?

Car ploughs into crowd celebrating PSG Champions League win in France injuring four members of same family

Car ploughs into crowd celebrating PSG Champions League win in France injuring four members of same family

People thought to be migrants board a small boat leaving the beach at Gravelines, France, in an attempt to reach the UK by crossing the English Channel. Picture date: Saturday May 31, 2025.

Starmer 'loses control' on immigration as 1,200 migrants cross Channel in a day

US prosecutors allege Miller was working with a Chinese national to illegally acquire weapons systems and other classified equipment for the Chinese government.

British businessman 'caught spying for China' faces 40 years in US prison after FBI sting

Dani captioned the post of the newly weds 'The Bowens'

Love Island's Dani Dyer and West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen tie knot in 'Bridgerton-inspired' ceremony

Paris St Germain sweep aside Inter Milan to win Champions League

Paris St-Germain thrash Inter Milan with record 5-0 win - becoming Champions of Europe for the first time

A group of people thought to be migrants onboard a small boat leaving the beach at Gravelines, France, in an attempt to reach the UK by crossing the English Channel. Picture date: Saturday May 31, 2025.

Coastguard resources 'stretched thin' by migrant rescues as fishing boats urged to help yacht in trouble

Hamas leader Muhammad Sinwar was killed in an Israeli airstrike

Hamas leader Mohammed Sinwar 'eliminated' in airstrike on tunnel under south Gaza hospital, IDF confirms

Brandon Moore is a rugby league player.

Rugby league star missing as wife issues desperate plea to find father of three

Thicke and his long-term partner tied the knot in a lavish ceremony in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

'Through Thicke and thin': Robin Thicke gets hitched to model April Love Geary in Mexico after seven-year engagement

Police officers look at the remains of a crashed plane on the terrace of a residential building in Korschenbroich, Germany, Saturday, May 31, 2025. (David Young/dpa via AP)

Two people die after small plane crashes into house in Germany

Aziz Ziriat had been hiking in the Dolomites with his friend.

Body of British hiker missing in Italy since January found at foot of mountain as family praise rescuers' 'commitment'

Emergency services were called to Frith Road, Croydon, just after 9am on Saturday and treated two injured people at the scene.

Woman in her 20s stabbed to death in 'tragic' incident in Croydon as man arrested on suspicion of murder

WFP distribute flour to Palestinians struggling with hunger in Gaza.

Dozens of UN food lorries 'blocked and emptied' by desperate Palestinians

Hamas has agreed to release 10 living hostages and 18 bodies in response to the US' Gaza ceasefire proposals.

Hamas demands changes to US Gaza ceasefire plan - as US envoy Steve Witkoff slams 'totally unacceptable' proposal