Residents complained of hearing “thumping music” through the night, reports James Cracknell

Revelers continuing to party on Sunday morning

An “illegal rave” at Whitewebbs Park was attended by hundreds of people before being shut down by police on Sunday morning (6^th).

The event began late on Saturday but continued well into the daylight hours of Sunday morning before the revellers were told to disperse when local residents alerted the Metropolitan Police and Enfield Council.

Loud “thumping music” could be heard across a wide area around the park for several hours and the event left behind a large amount of litter and drugs paraphernalia that had to be cleared up on Sunday afternoon with help from council parks staff.

The Metropolitan Police had received information suggesting an “unlicensed music event” was being organised at Trent Park and promptly issued a dispersal order for the Cockfosters park on Friday and through the weekend. However, it’s thought that this prompted organisers to switch the event to Whitewebbs Park instead.

Sean Wilkinson, chair of the Friends of Whitewebbs Park, said: “Whitewebbs is a haven for wildlife and the sounds of nature, unique in Enfield. Users from all over the borough come here for peaceful and quiet recreation. The park does not have the facilities for opportunist activities such as this rave which disturbs wildlife and leaves behind detritus harmful to the environment and park users.

“There were reports and complaints about the loud noise from residents south of the park from 2am until about 9.30am on Sunday morning.

“I am grateful for the response from council officials and from the police who oversaw the closure of the event and the collection and removal of a large amount of rubbish.”

A regular user of the park posted on social media on Sunday to warn neighbours: “If anyone is wondering what the thumping music was all through the night and this morning around Whitewebbs (and perhaps you got woken up in the process), it was an illegal rave about 200 yards down from the cafe, inside the stream and pathway by the golf course.

“They all camped out overnight in makeshift tents, rubbish and cans (and probably other substances) strewn everywhere.”

A Met Police spokesperson said: “On Saturday 5th August following into Sunday 6th August police received reports of an illegal rave at Whitewebbs Park. Officers attended the scene and the attendees of the rave dispersed.

“No arrests were made. Enquiries are ongoing.”

Enfield Council was contacted for comment.

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