Man Stabbed At Rave

31 October 2011, 12:18 | Updated: 31 October 2011, 12:31

A man's seriously ill in hospital after being stabbed at an illegal rave near Bedford.

The 32 year old, who lives in Flitwick, Bedfordshire, was the victim of an unprovoked attack at the Lafarge pits in the village of Willington between 7am and 7.30am on Sunday 30 October 2011.  He was taken to Bedford Hospital.

Two other people required hospital treatment after collapsing due to the inhalation of nitrous oxide (commonly known as laughing gas).

A further teenager was also taken to hospital after breaking her arm while she tried to climb a fence.

Bedfordshire Police think as many as a thousand people were at the event, which started just after midnight.  The A603 road had to be closed by the police at one point because of the heavy traffic in the area.

Nine people were arrested at the event on suspicion of things like causing a public nuisance.

Officers seized the sound equipment at lunchtime on Sunday along with nine vehicles.  They also closed down the event removing the remaining 250 people from the site.

The nine arrests include:

-three people arrested on suspicion of causing a public nuisance,
-one person arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a class A drug,
-one person wanted for theft by Norfolk Police,
-one person arrested on suspicion of being over the prescribed limit,
-and three people arrested for driving offences.

Superintendent Linda Kelly said the operation sends a warning to other organisers that Bedfordshire Police will not tolerate raves that are unlicensed by the local authority and present serious health and safety risk to revellers.

She said "Organisers of illegal raves such as this are not welcome in Bedfordshire. We were very concerned about the people who attended this illegal rave as they had no regard for their own safety or that of others. Some were found wondering along the main A421 road, while others were climbing on the industrial equipment found at the site and another was found climbing a building.

"Shockingly it would appear some parents, knowing their children had arranged to attend the event, turned up in the morning to collect their children seemingly unconcerned that their nearest and dearest had been in danger.

"We have now seized the equipment used by the organisers and we will make every effort to ensure they face the full force of the law."

Officers are still seeking information about the stabbing of the 32 year old Flitwick man.

The offender is described as white, in his mid 20s, with a skinny build, approximately 6' tall and wearing a grey Nike top with navy piping around the hood.

Anyone with information about the attack is urged to contact Detective Constable Barry Kibble at Greyfriars Police Station, in confidence, on 01234 275212, or text information to 07786 200011.