Illegal ravers in Lincolnshire injure 3 officers and a police dog who tried to break them up

The rave was held on the same site as another one three years previously where police were criticised for not acting strongly enough

The rave took place in Twyford Woods, near Bourne (Mario Tama/ Getty)

A male police officer sustained serious injuries after being struck by a car leaving an illegal rave last night, after police acted to disperse revellers.

In total, three police officers and a police dog were injured, although a police spokesman confirmed that none of the injuries was life-threatening.

The incident happened after Lincolnshire Police were called to a report of loud noise and anti-social behaviour on Saturday evening, and resulted in an estimated 200 of around 1,000 ravers attacking the officers.

A man and three women, all aged 18 and 21 and from Norfolk, have been arrested. Police also seized sound equipment and power generators.

Because of the rave, police closed the A1 due to public safety. The site of the rave was located close to the road, and many of the revellers arrived by car, it is alleged.

The East Midland Ambulance service also confirmed that its hazardous area response team had supported the police operation, treating patients at the scene before taking three people to hospital.

Lincolnshire Police were previously criticised for failing to take strong enough action three years ago, when a rave occurred on the same site.

Chief Superintendent Stuart Morrison said: "When officers arrived it became clear that this was an illegal and unsafe event.

"When officers attended they were attacked by a group of people who were in attendance. One male police officer was struck by a car he was trying to prevent from entering the grounds of the illegal rave.

He was seriously injured and taken to hospital for treatment but thankfully his injuries are not life-threatening. Two other officers, as well as a police dog, were also hurt and received minor injuries when objects struck them that had been thrown from the crowd.

"We are working to fully shut it down in as safe and secure a way as possible and are turning away anyone who tries to gain access to the site, which is in a wooded area."