15 people arrested after illegal woodland rave shuts major road on Easter Sunday (2025)

An illegal woodland rave was shut down after a police raid in West Sussex this morning, leading to 15 arrests.

Cars lined the country lane where partygoers had flocked for an ‘unlicensed music event’ in Charlton Wood, north of Chichester.

One witness said they saw a couple of hundred cars parked nearby, but aerial images show far fewer.

Police earlier estimated there were 3,000 people in attendance. This figure has since been removed from their social media and revised to approximately 2,500 people by the police.

At least one person was seen handcuffed in a police van, Metro understands.

Eleven people were arrested on suspicion of drink or drug-driving, one person was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply illegal drugs, while three people were arrested on suspicion of carrying out unauthorised licensing activity.

The A286 was also closed.

Officers seized speakers, sound systems and stages, while several cars were abandoned on the surrounding roads, which the police told owners to collect ‘when they are fit to drive.’

Superintendent Shane Baker said: ‘I’d like to thank the public for their patience and understanding while we responded to this incident.

‘Events of this nature can have a hugely detrimental impact on the environment, they can cause extreme distress to livestock and they can significantly disturb local residents.

‘But the bottom line is they are illegal.

‘They can also heavily impact the local road network through abandoned vehicles, traffic build-up and road traffic offences, and result in a huge strain on resources of the emergency services.

‘I’d like to thank all staff and officers – some of whom have worked throughout the night – to ensure this incident was brought to a safe and successful conclusion.

‘I’d also like to remind any motorists to collect any vehicles they may have abandoned, but only when they are fit to drive. Anyone caught driving under the influence of drink or drugs will be dealt with robustly.’

This is a popular time of year for illegal outdoor raves. Two events drew hundreds of people out to Exmoor last Easter, resulting in gridlocked roads and two arrests.

Around 1,000 were kicked out of a disused Wickes DIY store in Bristol last October. Two people were also arrested there.

Police said the organisers of the Halloween event ‘acted in a wholly irresponsible manner’.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

MORE: Murder investigation launched after woman, 45, stabbed to death in London

MORE: ‘Heartbreak’ after fire set next to memorial for Olivia Pratt-Korbel

MORE: Manchester Arena plotter and Southport killer ‘on same unit’ after prison attack