An illegal rave with more than 1,000 attendees was discovered minutes away from the Waterworks Nature Reserve.

Waltham Forest Council enforcement officers and police attended the party at an industrial unit in Rigg Approach on July 4.

Around 1,500 people are thought to have attended the event, although neither police nor a council spokesperson would confirm if it was connected to other illegal raves held in the borough.

A council spokesperson said: “On Saturday evening, our enforcement team were required to attend an industrial unit, alongside police officers, after 1,500 people attended an event there, in breach of the government guidelines.

“Our enforcement team will continue to monitor activity across the borough and will not hesitate to take further action to stop individuals or groups putting our wider community at risk.”

In June, the council and police shut down a squatted venue just off High Road, Leytonstone that held three raves in May.

Gatherings were held at the large venue in Joseph Ray Road on May 17, May 23 and May 24.

Police attended and “spoke with the occupants” on the night of the first event and also on May 25, before a repossession notice was served on June 2.

Residents and environmental activists have raised concerns that loud music events near the reserve, particularly during nesting season, could disturb rare bird species.

The fear for birds like the legally protected kingfisher was one of many reasons given by the council for the decision to deny licensing permission to Waterworks Festival.

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