Around 50 Hampshire and Ministry of Defence police took action when 250 ravers, many of them teenagers from the Surrey area, attempted to set up a stage and marquee. They had arrived the night before in a convoy and camped in a field behind the derelict Spaniard Inn off the A3 in Bramshott, part of which is owned by the MoD.
Police warned anybody going to the rave to stay away and road signs were erected. The initial police operation started at 11-30 am on Saturday, just as a marquee and platform were to be erected. A police patrol plane was also used to keep the situation under control.
The police praised the way the youths left the site in a friendly, well-mannered way. Some vehicles and sound equipment were seized, but no arrests were made. It is thought that people heard of the rave via a website and by text messages.
Assistant Chief Constable Colin Smith said: "The concern of Hampshire Constabulary and the MoD police is that it was unlicensed, unregulated, uninsured and not governed by health and safety regulations. It is not our intention to be spoilsports, but we will not allow these dangerous events on public safety grounds."
The group moved on to Painshill but Surrey police warned ravers not to proceed. They then headed for Brighton but were again thwarted. However, a handful of protesters pushed two police cars down a hill in Brighton. The cars were seriously damaged, but no one injured. One man was arrested but was later released on police bail.