This was the scene after an illegal rave took over a former industrial site over New Year’s Eve. Gwent Police received reports that loud music could be heard coming from The British, near Talywain in Pontypool, in the early hours of Wednesday, January 1.
The British is the largest remaining site of industrial dereliction in southeast Wales and is found near the Big Pit National Coal Museum. Police officers from the force were in attendance at the site and urged the public to stay away.
The site was also disconnected from power while police served a section 63 notice directing people to leave. On Thursday pictures show litter at the empty site, including balloons and gas canisters on the floor and spray paint on the walls.
On Thursday, January 2 Philip Raymond Parfitt, who squats at the site, said that while a fence was damaged to gain entry, organisers and ravers were mostly respectful and made efforts to clean up after themselves.
Philip said he initially tried to call the police but as his phone was dead he instead joined in with the party. Here is how the site was left after the rave.