A council has condemned the 'thoughtless' actions of partygoers after an illegal rave was disbanded at a park.

The unlicensed music event was due to be held at Darenth Country Park, near Dartford last Saturday.

Officers attended at around 8pm and seized sound equipment and dispersed a group of revellers on arrival.

It is understood less than 20 people were in the area when police arrived and sound equipment had been set up and was ready to use.

A dispersal order was put in place to prevent people returning to the area and officers remained at the country park for the rest of the evening in an effort to talk with anyone looking to attend and deter further gatherings.

But some villagers have suggested such events are not one-offs in the wake of a further lifting of Covid-19 restrictions .

A local Darenth resident, who did not wish to be named, said: "I was already there at 8pm and I heard and saw no one but a family member said it’s been going on for a few weeks now with the music."

"Dartford has worked incredibly hard to reduce the transmission of Covid and this type of thoughtless activity can easily undermine these efforts..."

The "thoughtless" actions of those flouting social distancing rules and attending such events was condemned by Dartford council.

A spokesperson for Dartford council said: "We are aware that there was an attempt to hold an illegal rave at Darenth Country Park on Saturday evening.

"Our partners Kent Police shut this down immediately. Dartford has worked incredibly hard to reduce the transmission of Covid and this type of thoughtless activity can easily undermine these efforts."

It follows an announcement this week police across England will be able to fine organisers of illegal gatherings of more than 30 people up to £10,000 from Friday.

Those attending such events face individual fines of £100, doubling upon each subsequent reoffence.

Tougher action is being taken ahead of the Bank Holiday weekend with police saying they have already dispersed hundreds of illegal gatherings since coronavirus restrictions were introduced.

This includes several illegal events shut down in Kent which have posed threats other than Covid-19.

In June, two people were stabbed at a large beach rave in Leysdown .

A month later, more than 100 people were dispersed as part of an unlicensed events held near Canterbury and Maidstone .

Earlier this month four police officers were injured at a beach 'cook out' near New Romney after the event descended into chaos.

Speaking after the dispersal of the event at Darenth Country Park assistant chief constable Nicola Faulconbridge said: "This is a good example how prompt action by officers and the implementation of a dispersal order have prevented a situation from escalating.

"Kent is no place for unlicensed music events, in addition to the noise and litter they create, the public health risk and lack of social distancing remains a concern.

"I would ask those thinking of holding or attending such events to think carefully about the health risks associated with these gatherings.

"If people ignore our requests and continue to hold events with a blatant disregard for the health and wellbeing of others they will have action taken against them and risk being arrested and having their equipment seized."

Read more: All the latest news from Dartford