Summer solstice passes peacefully at Stonehenge

THE Summer Solstice celebrations at Stonehenge passed peacefully with record crowds and only 37 arrests, police said yesterday.

Although the sun did not make an appearance as dawn broke in an overcast sky, around 36,500 people enjoyed the carnival atmosphere at the ancient stone circle on Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire.

An eccentric mix of Morris dancers, pagans dressed in their traditional robes and musicians playing guitars and drums gathered alongside visitors from across the world.

The good weather and the fact that the solstice fell over a weekend drew in the crowds from around 7pm on Saturday night.

As the sun rose at 4.58am a cheer went up from those gathered at the stone circle to welcome the longest day.

Bleary-eyed revellers wrapped in blankets, ponchos, cloaks and bin liners joined together in song and dance in the centre of the stones and across the site.

English Heritage and Wiltshire police had anticipated the biggest turnout yet and had drafted in extra officers to patrol the site and to clamp down on anti-social behaviour and drugs.

Restrictions were placed on the amount of alcohol people could bring in, with security checks at the main entrance.

A pilotless police drone was used to monitor the site and drugs dogs carried out 300 searches, Wiltshire Police said.

But the event was a peaceful one with just 37 arrests for minor public disorder and drug-related offences.

Superintendent Nick Ashley said: “The Solstice celebration this year has been peaceful and enjoyable for the majority who were present to celebrate the occasion in a safe manner and I would like to thank those people for their co-operation.

“It is disappointing that a small number of people chose to ignore the conditions of entry and brought with them illegal drugs but this was dealt with effectively.”

The main route into Stonehenge, the A303, was closed due to volumes of traffic ahead of the sunrise and the car park was full with 6,500 cars by 3am.

This year 200 peace stewards and security officers were brought in alongside police.

English Heritage drafted in 100 portable toilets for the event.

Peter Carson, head of Stonehenge, said 31,000 people attended last year’s event.

“We were expecting it to be busy this year, but we had ensured that it has been a peaceful and enjoyable solstice,” he said.

“The conditions of entry ensured it was a safe event.”