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Illegal party in Springwood Road, Barming was 'outrageous' with revellers vomiting outside and cars blocking street

By: Rebecca Tuffin

Published: 12:50, 15 July 2020

Updated: 14:53, 15 July 2020

Neighbours who live near a house where an illegal party was held at the weekend have spoken of blocked roads, vomit in the street and full DJ decks in use before police turned up.

Police were called to the property in Springwood Road, Barming on Saturday night, sending 100 people home and seizing music equipment.

Springwood Road, Barming

Though lockdown restrictions have been relaxed, people should only meet in groups of up to six outside their own household and when people do meet, they should stay at least two metres apart, when possible.

Officers are now reminding the public that those intent on holding unlicensed music events are potentially committing criminal offences.

Kaytlyn Fiore, who lives with her mum, dad and brother opposite where the party is thought to have been held, says the revellers left a trail of vomit and litter behind them.

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The 16-year-old said: "There was someone parked on the drive in front of our house and just cars everywhere. Someone was sick on our drive too and there was rubbish all over the place."

She added: "The music was loud and went on until about 4.30am, when the police turned up, my parents said.

The road is next to Barming Heath

"I think it's more the noise that disturbed everyone rather than the social distancing."

However, this is the first time a party here has got quite so out of hand, according to Miss Fiore.

"They've had a few since they moved in but they normally finish at like 12 - it's never been that bad before," she said.

A 60-year-old man who also lives near where the gathering took place thinks the noise could have probably been heard by residents on the opposite side of Barming Heath.

He said : "It was outrageous - there was an MC and the whole street was blocked - if an ambulance was needed, it wouldn't have been able to get through.

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"It went quiet for a bit after the police arrived but then there was shouting for a couple of hours after. You could see people getting in their cars were drunk."

The resident, who lives with his 11-year-old daughter, added: "They've been having parties since Covid started. I know people want to get out because we've been locked up for so long but this was too far."

Another neighbour who lives in the street but didn't want to be named said: "It sounded fun and the music was great - they had a proper DJ in the garden and everything - but it's not fun at 1.30am."

Her mother added: "It's really disrespectful to other people.

"The people have only lived there for a couple of months and have already had a few parties."

An illegal rave in woodland near Canterbury was also shut down by police last weekend, with around 25 people dispersed.

Asst Ch Con Nicola Faulconbridge of Kent Police said: "These unlicensed events are not only illegal but put people at risk and have a significant impact on police resources.

"The risk of passing on Covid-19 is still a real concern and I would ask people not to organise or attend gatherings of this nature.

"Those who continue to ignore our requests and hold events with a blatant disregard for the health and wellbeing of others will have action taken against them and we will not hesitate in seizing equipment and making arrests when appropriate."

Members of the public are encouraged to look out for any suspicious activity that may indicate the presence of an unlicensed music event, reporting it to police on 101.

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