Police were called to Chepstow Park Wood in Monmouthshire after an illegal rave disturbed nearby villagers with loud music throughout the night. The unlicensed music event took place in the early hours of Sunday, July 26, prompting multiple complaints from residents.
Noise complaints and police response
Residents across Monmouthshire reported hearing "really loud music" from the woodland, with sound carrying to areas including Mathern, St Arvans, Devauden, and as far as the Severn Bridge and the coastal path at Black Rock. Monmouthshire council confirmed it received six noise complaints and is investigating the incident.
Gwent Police said officers attended the site after receiving reports of the unlicensed event. A statement from the force said: "Officers attended, advised those in attendance to stop the music before safely dispersing the area."
Council statement on event organisers
A spokesperson for Monmouthshire County Council said: "We can confirm that Monmouthshire County Council had no prior knowledge of the event taking place.
"The event organisers did not engage with the Event Safety Advisory Group (ESAG) process. ESAG is a multi-agency forum chaired by Monmouthshire County Council and it provides an opportunity for event organisers to receive specialist advice and input to their event to ensure a safe and legal event can take place.
"Advice covers a range of issues, including the mitigation of any potential noise nuisance. ESAG is a voluntary process and whilst there is no legal requirement to engage, we do receive requests from numerous event organisers.
"It is disappointing that this event did not engage with this forum. We will continue to work with our partners, including Gwent Police, to seek to identify the organisers of this event and encourage them to engage with ESAG and prevent any future issues of a similar nature arising.
"We encourage all event organisers to engage with ESAG and further information is available here: Event Planning - Event Safety Advisory Group - Monmouthshire."
