- Sun Jun 30, 2002 3:30 pm
#15257
next weekend i shall be going to a world championship qulaifiyer at Smeatharpe for stcok car racing- my other hobby....althought this might be in doubt as....
from BBC Devon Online
Police in East Devon are hunting a man who drove a van at high speed at a BBC Spotlight crew and an interviewee near an illegal rave on a disused airfield.
Several hundred people are camped on the private land near the village of Smeatharpe. New security measures at the Glastonbury Festival have meant thousands of people looking for alternative venues.
Police say hundreds of people are involved in the illegal gathering on an old airfield at Smeatharpe near Honiton.
Nine people have been arrested: for possession of controlled drugs, assault, obstructing a police officer, theft of a vehicle, disqualified driving, and drink driving.
Moments before the van drove at them
The BBC crew were interviewing a local resident, yesterday, around half a mile away from the centre of the rave, when a van was driven straight at them at high speed.
The driver then reversed back past them, again at speed, shouting abuse.
The metal farm gate where they had been standing was smashed off its hinges.
The gate was carried several metres
down the road
No one was seriously hurt but BBC Spotlight reporter John Maguire said all three were shook up: "It was a frightening experience." He said. "The gate where we were standing one second before was smashed clean off its hinges and carried along the road for 10 - 20 metres."
Cathy Hillman, a local resident was being interviews at the time: "I think it's only just started to sink in just how close we were to death." She said. "Probably tonight it'll fully register with me. That was absolutely awful, and potentially lethal for all three of us."
Thousands have been looking for alternative locations as Glastonbury is sold out
Up to 150 police officers have been turning people away from the site for the past two days. It is believed new high security measures at the Glastonbury Festival have meant thousands looking for an alternative venue in the South West.
Sergeant Dave Anning from the Devon and Cornwall Police said that safety is the primary concern: "The main part of the operation is to make sure nobody else joins them." He said. "We're very conscious there's a large number of people who aren't getting to Glastonbury, but we don't want them thinking they can come down here.
The gathering can just be seen
in the distance
"It's causing considerable harassment to local residents and it does mean a large number of officers is being committed here, when perhaps they could be better deployed doing other things."
It is hoped most people will leave the old airfield at Smeatharpe of their own accord over the weekend.
But Police do have the powers to remove people from the site under legislation introduced in the 1990's designed to outlaw similar raves and large gatherings.
This is not the first time the site has been targetted.
In 1992, 3,000 travellers covered the former American wartime bomber base, with makeshift homes, caravans and vehicles. They vowed to stay for two months and police were called to set up a base in the village hall.
The base was abandoned after the war and is currently used for banger races, car rallies and gliders.
Da Legend....
Like the candyman, mention my name and I come a running
chrismoyles.net
