Police have released the photographs of seven men that they want to speak to in connection with Saturday’s illegal rave in Croydon after which a teenager died.
Rio Andrew, 15, died after falling ill at the party, reportedly due to drinking from a bottle of beer laced with ketamine, a horse tranquilliser and party drug.
A 19-year-old man was also taken ill at the rave and remains in hospital in a serious condition, and six other people admitted to hospital after the party have been discharged.
Police became aware of the party after streams of people heading to the venue at a disused Royal Mail sorting office on Orchard Road were spotted by officers on patrol around 21:40 on Saturday night.
The location was cordoned off to prevent further people attending, but the police were prevented from closing down the rave by some party-goers throwing chairs, stones, and fire extinguishers at officers.
Instead, police monitored the 1,300-person party, and finally entered the building at 08:30 on Sunday morning to begin collecting evidence.
Nine people were arrested on the night for offences related to drugs, violent disorder, and money laundering, and five arrests have been made this week for handling stolen goods and criminal damage offences in connection with the investigation.
The police have established an enquiry into the handling of intelligence about the rave, which was not acted upon by officers. In a statement, the Met Police said:
“We received a single piece of intelligence on 5 June to suggest that an event may take place at the location on 14 June, although no time was indicated when this would take place.
“The information was reviewed by a local intelligence officer, but no further action was taken.”
A video of the police presence at the rave has emerged online:
