police close in on rave suspects

Laura Bagshaw FIVE youths wanted in connection with the rave riots that happened in Great Yarmouth last August year have all been identified. In May, police released photographs of five youths they wanted to speak to in connection with the riot when a group of more than 100 revellers pelted the police station with bottles and full cans of beer.

Laura Bagshaw

FIVE youths wanted in connection with the rave riots that happened in Great Yarmouth last August year have all been identified.

In May, police released photographs of five youths they wanted to speak to in connection with the riot when a group of more than 100 revellers pelted the police station with bottles and full cans of beer.

While this incident was taking place, 300 ravers broke into a factory on Harfrey's Industrial Estate to set up sounds equipment.

This week police confirmed that with the help of the public all five youths had been identified and investigations into their involvement were continuing.

Police officers were drafted in from Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire to try and control the rave, only to be attacked with fencing poles and missiles by revellers, leaving some officers with minor injuries.

The trouble started when police arrested three occupants of a white Ford Transit van during a routine check for scrap metal after finding sound equipment on board destined for the rave.

A large crowd then gathered outside the police station in Howard Street North in an attempt to get the equipment back and the men released. When this failed, the ravers moved on to the Thermaglow factory on Boundary Road, where wire cutters were used to break into the compound so revellers could pile in their cars.

Computers were ripped out and filing cabinets smashed so the music equipment and six speakers could be set up.

To date, 17 people have been arrested, charged or reported, with 81 offences identified.