Man, 20, dies of ‘drug overdose’ after at least 6,000 hit ‘quarantine’ raves in Leeds and Manchester
18-year-old is raped, three people are stabbed and man, 20, dies of ‘drug overdose’ as 6,000 people attend three coronavirus ‘quarantine’ raves in Leeds and Manchester
- Officers swoop in on illegal raves in the Droylsden and Carrington areas of Greater Manchester last night
- It is claimed up to 6,000 people attended the events, as well as another even in the area of Leeds, Yorkshire
- In Droylsden, where around 2,000 people attended, a 20-year-old man died of a suspected drug overdose
- At a rave in Carrington, where around 4,000 attended, a woman was raped and three people were stabbed
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
By James Robinson and Georgia Simcox For Mailonline
Published: 03:34 EDT, 14 June 2020 | Updated: 11:42 EDT, 14 June 2020
A teenager has been raped, three people have been stabbed and a man has died of a suspected drug overdose during three lockdown-defying raves in the north of England.
Officers are today investigating the sex attack on an 18-year-old female, who attended the illegal party of around 2,000 revellers in Greater Manchester last night.
It took place as 4,000 party-goers gathered for a so-called ‘quarantine rave’, also in Greater Manchester, while others broke lockdown laws to party beside a motorway near Leeds.
Today police have confirmed a 20-year-old man has died of a suspected drug overdose during one of the three events, which collectively attracted more than 6,000 people.
It was at the biggest of the events, in Droylsden, Greater Manchester, where the 20-year-old died of a drug overdose, Greater Manchester Police say. His family are today being supported by specialist officers.
Nearby in Carrington, there were reports of three separate stabbings at another 2,000-strong party, including one which left an 18-year-old man with life-threatening injuries.
Illegal ravers also caused chaos on the M1 near Leeds last night after police attempted to break-up a ‘huge crowd’ of young people partying in a concrete tunnel near to the busy motorway.
A 20-year-old man has died of a suspected drug overdose and three others were stabbed, as thousands attended two raves in Manchester. Pictured: The aftermath of the rave in Daisy Nook Country Park near Droylsden
Around 4,000 party-goers gathered for the so-called ‘quarantine rave’. Today members of the community are clearing up the huge mess left by revellers
Council workers are today beginning the clean-up following the massive event near Droylsden last night (pictured left and right). Police say the family of a 20-year-old man who died of a suspected drug overdose at the event are being supported by specialist officers
Officers are today investigating the sex attack on an 18-year-old female, who attended an illegal rave near Carrington last night
Police and detectives are the scene of last night’s rave, in which three people have been stabbed, leaving one victim fighting for his life
The three massive illegal raves come as Britain continues to steam-roll its way out of lockdown, despite strong warnings, including from the government’s own scientific advisers, that the country could face a second wave of coronavirus.
But last weekend thousands of protesters hit the streets of London, the majority without masks and most not social distancing, while pictures have shown people packed onto beaches and in parks across Britain, despite Covid-19 still claiming hundreds of lives this week.
And Britons are about to enjoy even more freedom on Monday when shops reopen for the first time since March, when the government imposed lockdown.
Meanwhile, Greater Manchester Police have launched an investigation following the two raves in the force’s area last night.
Alongside the death of the 20-year-old, two other men, aged 25 and 26, were also left with injuries after these separate assaults at the rave in Carrington.
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.
Meanwhile police are appealing for information following the rape of the 18-year-old
A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: ‘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.
‘Anyone with information is asked to contact police as soon as possible.’
Meanwhile, West Yorkshire Police were last night called to a motorway bridge over the M1 near Leeds after reports of large crowds gathering.
Shocked officers found a ‘huge crowd’ of young people,without masks of gloves, crammed inside a concrete tunnel dancing to electronic music.
Police had to close the motorway for a three hours after party-goers spilled out onto the carriageway in an attempt to get home.
West Yorkshire Police were last night called to a motorway bridge for the M1 near Leeds after reports of large crowds gathering. Shocked officers found a ‘huge crowd’ of young people,without masks of gloves, crammed inside a concrete tunnel dancing to electronic music
Fights also broke out at a nearby service station at junction 45 of the M1, where revellers gathered after police crashed the illegal event.
It comes as lockdown has been eased to allow groups of up to six people to meet outside and social bubbles allowing some to see family members.
Mass gatherings remain a breach of the coronavirus lockdown restrictions introduced by the Government in March to stop the spread of Covid-19.
Greater Manchester Police 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.
‘Coronavirus is still a threat and we will continue to engage with people to encourage them to take some personal responsibility and do the right thing.
‘Ultimately we need the people of Greater Manchester to join together and demonstrate the spirit that they have previously shown in the face of hard times.’
The aftermath of an illegal ‘quarantine rave’ saw empty bottles, nitrous oxide canisters and plastic bags strewn across the grass
Mr Sykes added that violence towards police at the Carrington rave was ‘absolutely not acceptable and will not be tolerated’.
He added: ‘Our officers are working incredibly hard to keep people safe and should never be met with inexcusable violence whilst carrying out their duties.’
He said that they had experienced a surge in emergency calls this weekend with a more than 60 per cent increase between 5pm yesterday and 4am this morning.
Deputy Labour Leader and MP for Ashton-under-Lyne Angela Rayner tweeted: ‘Those who attended put themselves and their loved ones at risk. (Completely) irresponsible.
‘A lot of effort went into online events this weekend across (Greater Manchester). Those who attended should be ashamed of themselves. My local area now has to deal with the aftermath.’
It is claimed thousands of people attended the event, while up to 50 emergency service vehicles are said to have arrived as part of the police effort to break it up.
One witness said it looked like ‘a nightclub at kicking out time’.
An illegal rave which is said to have attracted thousands of people was last night shut down by police after unconfirmed reports of a stabbing. Pictured: Police shut down the event in the Carrington area of Greater Manchester last night
It is claimed thousands of people attended the rave. Pictured: People were seen drinking in the street near to the event
Up to 50 emergency service vehicles are said to have arrived as part of the police effort to break it up. Pictured: People gather round a car near to the rave
Large gatherings are also likely to breach strict social distancing guidelines, introduced in March as part of the government’s coronavirus lockdown
According to reports in local newspaper, the Manchester Evening News, a large number of Greater Manchester Police vehicles attended Mile Road in Flixton at around 9.30pm yesterday.
The paper reports that the rave took place near to a water treatment centre in front of a paper mill.
Such gatherings are illegal under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act, which was introduced in 1997.
Large gatherings are also likely to breach strict social distancing guidelines, introduced in March as part of the government’s coronavirus lockdown, in a bid to stop the spread of Covid-19.
Though small outdoor gatherings in gardens have now been given the green light, people are still required to maintain social distancing, and remain at a two metre distance, with those not in their household.
The latest lockdown easing measures were introduced this week as the country continues to work its way out of coronavirus lockdown.
Boris Johnson’s new ‘support bubbles’ rules, which allows people from two households to interact with each other at less than two metres apart, came into play this weekend.
With ‘support bubbles’ in force, people itching to socialise after being confined to their homes since the ‘stay at home’ order was given on March 23 rushed outdoors on Sunday.
Britons hit beauty spots as temperatures soared to 77F on the second day families were allowed to meet again after coronavirus restrictions were eased once again this weekend.
Britons hit beauty spots as temperatures soared to 77F on the second day families were allowed to meet again after coronavirus restrictions were eased again this weekend. Pictured: People meet on Wandsworth Common today after lockdown rules are eased
With ‘support bubbles’ in force, people itching to socialise after being confined to their homes since the ‘stay at home’ order was given on March 23 rushed outdoors on Sunday. Pictured: People enjoy a walk at a park in Windsor today
TomTom data showed roads around Liverpool were 94 per cent of pre-lockdown levels at 4pm today as Britons took to parks amid warm temperatures this afternoon.
In London, traffic surged to 51 per cent of figures recorded a year earlier – as congestion in Brighton rose to 63 per cent of data seen at the same time in 2019 this afternoon.
It comes after thousands of Black Lives Matter protesters took to the streets of London last week following the death of American George Floyd, who died after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes while he was being arrested.
Meanwhile, pictures have shown beaches, including popular beauty spot Durdle Door in Dorset, rammed with people enjoying the warm weather, with many Britons currently unable to work or furloughed.
Tomorrow, many of Britain’s major retailers will lift the shutters on their high street stores for the first time since coronavirus lockdown was imposed in March.
Though customers face a drastically different shopping experience, with many retails introducing one-way systems, a cap on the number of people who can enter the store and Perpsex glass near tills to protect both customers and checkout staff.
The reopening of non-essential shops comes amid warnings that a second wave is likely because customers need 108 square foot of space to safely social-distance.
High street stores must give each consumer at least 108 sq ft (10 sq m) of ‘dynamic space’ to move around, according to a new study.
The research also found each person requires 118 sq ft (11 sq m) in larger retailers and 129 sq ft (12 sq m) for outdoor areas.
SAGE (Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies) advisers had previously warned reopening shops on June 15 could risk a second wave and subsequent lockdown.
