The borough’s police chief has warned illegal rave organisers to stay out of Barking and Dagenham after nine officers were injured shutting down a warehouse party.
Nine people were arrested in connection with the unlicensed event at an empty 48,000sq ft building in Thames Road, Barking, on Saturday night and have been bailed to return to a police station in August.
About 2,000 party-goers attended the rave, which was brought to a halt by about 2am on Sunday, with two sergeants, two dog-handlers and five police constables injured in clashes.
“I can’t remember anything like this happening in this borough before,” said borough commander Supt Sean Wilson.
“If anyone tries to come to Barking and Dagenham to conduct these illegal activities we will respond quickly and efficiently. We will not tolerate these sort of events.
“I will deploy absolutely everything to make sure these things don’t happen again.”
Riot police, dog units and helicopters were called as revellers hurled missiles at officers.
Canisters of nitrous oxide (also known as laughing gas), balloons, beer cans and water bottles were found strewn across the warehouse’s three floors during the clean up operation, while many of the walls were daubed in graffiti.
A 26-year-old office worker from nearby Lawes Way, who asked to remain anonymous, saw ravers jump over the fence into his back garden, which backs onto the industrial estate.
“I went out beforehand and you could see them all coming from Barking station and walking up the road,” he said.
“People were throwing bottles into the road at the A13 – it was pretty scary.
“You certainly don’t expect something like that to happen in a quiet area like Barking Riverside.”
Officers received reports of youngsters arriving at Barking station in large groups.
“People came from absolutely all over,” added Supt Wilson.
“These were not Barking and Dagenham ravers, a lot of them came by train.”
Petchey Holdings, which owns the empty building, was contacted by the Post but declined to comment.
A council spokesman said: “The council and the police worked closely to deal with and manage this incident as it happened and we are still helping the police with their investigations.”
Anyone with information should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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