Police shut down rave in ‘very hazardous’ Goring building

A member of the public alerted the police to people entering the old Lloyds TSB building, in The Causeway, Goring, just after 10.30pm.

Two generators and a large amount of sound equipment were seized and the planned rave was stopped.

Three people were arrested as officers discovered that the sound equipment was being set up on the roof of the derelict office block.

Inspector Allan Lowe said: “Early notification from a member of the public enabled us to move quickly to close down this rave, which would have caused significant disruption to the local community.

“What was particularly disturbing was that hundreds of people were being drawn to the rave in what would have been a very hazardous environment. There are ceilings falling down, wires sticking out, numerous trip hazards and no indication of the state of electricity or water supplies inside.

“The dangers were enough to prevent a full search of the building until daylight and the consequences of having several hundred people inside in the dark, under the influence of drink or drugs and with no safety or evacuation precautions, are extremely worrying at the very least.”

A 23-year-old woman from Worthing and a 22-year-old man of no fixed address were arrested on suspicion of burglary other than dwelling and criminal damage. An 18-year-old man from Goring-by-Sea was arrested on suspicion of burglary other than dwelling.

All were later bailed until August 10.