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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
National
Daniel Chipperfield

Summer Solstice: Four arrested at Stonehenge as police release drone footage

Police have released drone footage showing 10,000 people gathered at Stonehenge to mark the summer solstice - on a night where four people were arrested.

Wiltshire police said the event, which greeted the start of the longest day of the year today (June 21), went ahead peacefully despite the arrests.

The Neolithic monument is built on the alignment of the midsummer sunrise and the midwinter sunset.

The sun rises behind the Heel Stone, the ancient entrance to the Stone Circle and rays of sunlight are channeled into the centre of the monument.

It reaches the highest point in the sky at 11.54am today, meaning summer officially begins from then.

The police drone watched over crowds while sending a live feed to the control room. This helped officers to identify areas around the site requiring foot patrols.

A 44-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of indecent exposure, a 25-year-old man on suspicion of drink driving and a 15-year-old girl on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly and a 19-year-old man on suspicion of criminal damage.

A 45-year-old man was also arrested on suspicion of common assault 24 miles away in Avebury, Wilts.

Superintendent Dave Minty said: “We were pleased with how summer solstice went once again this year.

“It passed peacefully with just one arrest at Avebury and four at Stonehenge, including one person on suspicion of drink driving.

“Overnight, we deployed a force drone at Stonehenge several times to help keep an eye on the estimated 10,000 strong crowd.

“We got some really good footage and by using a live feed to the control room it made it easier for us to place officers and security officers around the site where they may be needed."

The arrested remain in custody for questioning.

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