A FUNDRAISING campaign has been launched to help the farmers whose land and livestock were caught up in a huge illegal rave in the countryside.

Up to 2,000 people attended the rave in a field in Steyning, near Bostal Road, on June 27, with 90 people having been arrested to date.

A total of 79 of the arrests were for motoring offences – drink or drug-driving, or failing to provide a specimen for analysis, while a further 11 arrests were made for public nuisance and disorder offences.

READ MORE: Video shows look inside huge illegal rave before more than 50 were arrested

Pictures released from the police helicopter showed the scale of the event. Thousands gathered in the dark, while cars litter the South Downs countryside.

A herd of cattle, including a number of calves, can also be seen among the partygoers.

The Argus: A total of 90 people having been arrested to dateA total of 90 people having been arrested to date

Local Daniel Wadey has set up a GoFundMe page to help the farmers repair damaged property and with additional costs for their livestock.

“There apparently was one calf that was less than 24-hours old,” he said. “There was one idiot who was scaring the calf with a balloon and then started doing it to the bog cows. He must’ve been drunk, stoned or very brave.

“It must have scared the living day lights out of them.”

The GoFundMe page currently has £395 raised so far from 25 donations.

“We’re a close-knot community. Everyone knows everyone,” Daniel said.

“This really affected everyone in Steyning.”

The Argus: Up to 2,000 people attended the rave in a field in SteyningUp to 2,000 people attended the rave in a field in Steyning

A number of vehicles were seized, as well as equipment including speakers, staging, lights and generators.

Following the event, chief superintendent Howard Hodges said: “Our significant response to this unlicensed music event demonstrates that this sort of behaviour will absolutely not be tolerated, and anyone planning to attend – or organise – any future events of this nature in Sussex can expect to face the full force of the law.

“We had no prior intelligence of this event taking place, and our investigations have revealed the vast majority of attendees came from outside of Sussex. I can assure you those people will not be returning to Sussex for any similar events – if they do, they will again face robust action.

“The deplorable actions of those who organised and attended this event – in the grip of a global pandemic – cannot go unnoticed.

The rural crime team is working with the landowners and enquiries are ongoing to determine if any further offences have been committed.

In the meantime, police are appealing for anyone with any information about the incident – in particular anyone with evidential footage – to report it online or call 101, quoting Operation Entity.

While moving in to shut down the rave, emergency services were met with hostility, with one police officer being assaulted.

A police community support officer was also treated for a suspected broken arm following a collision involving a police car and a vehicle being driven by someone leaving the event.

The driver and passengers of the second vehicle were also taken to hospital as a precaution.