Illegal rave
During the night from Saturday to Sunday, approximately 150 people held an illegal rave party on the canal in Neerpelt. The police stopped the party on Sunday morning
The ravers gathered under the bridge of the North-South connection on the Bocholt-Herentals canal in Neerpelt during Saturday night. They had a large music system and came mainly from Belgium and the Netherlands.
According to those present, up to 150 revelers were present, mainly young people. They arrived on site with about 40 cars. Many ravers had dogs with them.
On Sunday morning, cycling tourists and walkers on the towpath were surprised by the rave party. The police were notified. At that moment, loud music was still blaring through the speakers. Around 9 a.m., officers arrived on the scene to shut down the rave party and tell those present to leave. Teams from the neighboring police zones Kempenland, Lommel and Beringen/Ham/Tessenderlo were also called up.
The music stopped, the installation was taken down and the revelers began to leave. That all happened without incident. The police have not arrested anyone.
Under the influence
“The attendees were friendly and immediately started cleaning up,” says Mayor Dennis Fransen (CD&V). “They were reportedly there for a birthday party. Those who could leave did so. But there were a few people who were too under the influence. They have to wait before getting into the car.”
The police continue to maintain increased surveillance around the canal, Fransen says. “The majority of the partygoers were not from the area. They came from Flemish Brabant and neighboring countries such as the Netherlands. Police have identified those involved, but have not arrested anyone so far. No reports have been drawn up yet, but further investigation is ongoing.”
