RUBBISH and drugs were left strewn across a Forest beauty spot after a 500-strong illegal rave kept residents awake for hours.

People living up to five miles away say they heard the ‘thumping’ music from the woodland event near the Speech House, which police monitored but did not close down until Sunday lunchtime owing to ‘safety concerns’.

Some residents were furious that no action was taken during the night to stop the rave, which sprang up just after midnight on Sunday morning (March 24). It took place at the old go kart track off Spruce Drive after the lock on a Forestry Commission gate had been cut.

Gloucestershire Police admitted they were alerted to the ‘Party Hub’ event just after midnight, but said they had to balance safeguarding residents with the safety of partygoers, and it would have been potentially unsafe to disperse such a large crowd during the middle of the night.

The party – reportedly in tribute to Keith Flint, lead singer of The Prodigy who died earlier this month – ran for some 12 hours, with police finally reporting that they had closed it down shortly before 2pm on Sunday.

Ravers were still in the area early on Sunday afternoon, several sleeping in cars, as roads were blocked off for the Forest Half Marathon which had attracted a huge entry of nearly 2,000 runners.

Some competitors said the rave music helped ‘spur’ them over the 13.1-mile course.

Police confirmed that ‘lots of ecstasy tablets’ had been discovered at the rubbish-strewn site, alongside abandoned gas cannisters, used loo roll, bottles, cans and general litter.

Forest Police spokesman Sgt Mark Burns said: “I understand the area has been left in a mess as the organisers have not cleaned up after themselves.

“Unfortunately anti-social events like raves in the Forest of Dean happen sporadically and this puts pressure on our resources.

“While the force has a duty to safeguard local residents, we also have an obligation to look after the party goers.

“Because of the large number of people in attendance – between 400 to 500 – we try to negotiate with the

organisers over various issues, but this often means letting the rave continue.

“This was a big event with a big sound system in place run by a number of heavy duty generators. The sound of music could be heard over a wide area for many hours.”

He called on anyone who notices a rave setting up to call police immediately.

“The only way to combat this type of anti-social behaviour is to nip it in the bud at the earliest opportunity,” he said.

“If people see a large number of visitors congregating in the woods they should call us on 101 or if they hear the music start up to dial 999 immediately.”

While the rave was on-going, police had stated: “We want to thank the local community for their patience and reassure them that we understand how much of an impact an event like this can have on those living nearby.”

But some residents said the response to the rave was inadequate, with one who “heard it booming through Ruspidge all night til around midday” describing it on social media as “an absolute joke”.

“Official events like Coleford Music Festival have to pay huge amounts of money for policing and licensing and yet if you chuck some speakers in the woods you’re good to go. Hilarious,” he said.

Another who was “disturbed by the loud thumping music,” said: “It should have been shut down immediately and not left for all to suffer.”

A young mum added: “Woke me up in Cinderford! Not great when you have a baby and you don’t get much sleep anyway.”

People said they had heard the rave as far away as Soudley, Littledean, Whitecroft, Bream and Yorkley, with other comments labelling it ‘a disgrace’ and ‘ridiculous’.

A walker who saw the site on Sunday afternoon, said: “What is so sad is the amount of rubbish they left behind.”

But not all criticised the rave, one man saying: “I don’t see why everyone is so upset about it, it’s happened for donkeys’ years and will continue to happen! I’m all for it!”, while another added: “Wish I was there. Ignore the party poopers on here and party hard.”

A half-marathon spokesperson said the rave hadn’t interfered with the race, although it was “bizarre seeing police cars racing around with sirens blaring and lights flashing.”

Competitors posted: “Most runners just laughed and used the beat to spur us” and “Kept us runners going through the half-marathon this morning.”

Police reported at 1.47pm that they had “successfully brought the rave to an end” after serving a “dispersal order” and people were “beginning to leave the area.”