A REDDITCH man was among those arrested at a large unlicensed music event in Sussex in the early hours of Sunday morning.
At its height, almost 2,000 people were at the illegal rave in Steyning and a significant number of police officers were deployed to the area where a large number of vehicles had gathered.
A police community support officer is being treated for a suspected broken arm following a collision involving a police car and a vehicle being driven by someone leaving the event. The driver and passengers of the second vehicle were also taken to hospital as a precaution.
The 20-year-old man from Redditch, was arrested on suspicion of driving while under the influence of both drink and drugs in relation to this collision.
At 5.45pm, a directive to leave the area was issued by police and the event reached a conclusion at 7.15pm however there remains significant disruption on the roads in the area, owing to the high volume of vehicles in the vicinity and people are again urged to avoid the area if possible.
A police officer was assaulted and another arrest was made and a large amount of music equipment, including sound systems and speakers, was seized by officers. As a result, a further eight individuals were identified as the organisers of the unlicensed event and arrested.
A second collision with another police vehicle was reported at approximately 7pm. The driver was arrested on suspicion of failing to stop, dangerous driving and failing to provide a breath test.
In total more than 50 people were arrested on suspicion of a number of offences, including drink and drug-driving, possession of drugs and theft.
It is expected the figure will increase, making it one of the largest, unplanned operations Sussex Police has experienced in recent years.
