Police accused of using 'unethical' force at rave 07.04.2026

An illegal rave near East Lulworth, which attracted approximately 2,000 attendees, was shut down by Dorset Police on Sunday evening after being reported late Saturday night. One partygoer, Zak Hanman, accused the police of using "unethical" and "unhuman-like" force, alleging officers initiated aggression against sober individuals. While Hanman admitted to witnessing some violence from attendees towards police, he claimed it was a reaction to the officers' initial actions, citing an instance of a man being hit with a baton while on the ground. Dorset Police stated they took "appropriate and proportionate action" to conclude the event safely, asserting their officers faced a "violent and hostile reception" and came under attack from thrown missiles. Eleven arrests were made for offenses including driving under the influence and assaulting an emergency worker.















