Man charged with drug offences as hundreds attend unlicensed music event near Beccles

Norfolk and Suffolk Police at the scene of an unlicensed music event (UME) in the Aldeby.Officers attended the site and efforts were made to contain the area at Stanley Hills with police blocking off access points to prevent further people entering. During the night it is thought around up to 500 people were in attendancePicture: James Bass (Image: Archant Norfolk © 2015)

Police officers from Norfolk and Suffolk attended the site at Stanley Hills shortly before midnight on Saturday and blocked off access points to prevent further people entering.

Luke Bills, of Station Road South, Walpole St Andrew, near Wisbech, has been charged with three counts of drug possession in relation to cocaine, mephedrone and cannabis.

He has been released on bail to appear before Norwich Magistrates court on Tuesday, August 25.

Police said the event was closely monitored throughout Sunday, when numbers of revellers fell from 500 to some 250.

The event was eventually closed at about 3.30pm when officers seized sound equipment, speakers, turn-tables and four vehicles.

Cars were parked on verges and even on junctions leading up to the field off Hollow Way Hill, some of which were towed away for causing an obstruction.

Police also breathalysed revellers driving away from the site and carried out drugs tests, and said their main priority was keeping the public and people at the event safe.

Due to the low number of calls the police received about the event and the relatively low number of attendees, police classed it as an 'unlicensed music event' rather than a 'rave'.

This means police had limited powers to act. Instead, Inspector Adam Hayes of Norfolk Police said the force would investigate and gather evidence to pass on to the licensing authority, which could prosecute the organisers.

Superintendent Roger Wiltshire said: 'Unlicensed music events like this one are not only a disturbance to local people, but also very unsafe due to the remote location, closeness to fast roads and intoxication of people attending.

'A mess was left behind here and damage was done to the area with significant police resources deployed.'

A statement added: 'Norfolk and Suffolk Constabulary will seek to take positive action, seize equipment and prosecute offenders involved in line with the wishes of our communities that are affected by such illegal activities.'