Celebrations heard in Corby as police warn about illegal raves

Empty nitrous oxide canisters and a discarded drugs bag with glow sticks outside the site of an illegal rave at new year in Corby

Corby residents heard singing, cheering, car horns and fireworks last night (Friday, June 26) as Northants Police warned that illegal raves may be taking place this weekend.

An Oakley Vale resident wrote in a Corby Facebook group: "What party is going on in Corby tonight?

"I live (in) Oakley Vale and can hear people cheering, singing and people sounding car horns. What am I missing?"

Several residents wondered if the noises were from Liverpool fans celebrating their Premiere League win by Harper's Brook.

The speculation from Corby residents follows a police appeal for information about any planned illegal raves.

Yesterday, Northants Police asked people to report any suspicious activity that could be linked to a rave.

Chief Inspector Tom Thompson said: "The intelligence we get from the public is really important and we have been made aware that an unlicensed music event maybe taking place somewhere in the county on Saturday night.

"Organisers of illegal raves often look to our more rural areas for a suitable open space for the event but they can take place in urban areas too, such as a derelict warehouse or park area.

In January, around 1,000 partygoers celebrated the new year at an illegal rave in a Corby industrial estate.

The illegal party took place in the disused NSUK unit in Shelton Road on the Willowbrook East estate after revellers broke a padlock to get in.

Later in January, a rave was stopped before it started in Grafton Underwood after police beat revellers to the scene and turned them away.

Chief Inspector Thompson said: "As such, I’m appealing to local residents, wherever you live, to keep an eye out for anything unusual.

"It might be an increase in traffic or more people in the area than normal, posters advertising a music event, people acting suspiciously or just any activity in the community that seems out of the ordinary."

Chief Inspector Thompson added that social distancing is still a requirement and there are restrictions on large gatherings.

He said: "I would urge parents and carers to remind any young people in their care to be aware of the risks of attending such an event – not only of Covid-19 but also of the potential to unwittingly get caught up in anti-social behaviour or disorder that may take place.

"Please remember that, as well as the potential health risk and being hugely disruptive to the local community in terms of noise and nuisance, these events are illegal. So, however tempting a rave might be after weeks of Covid-related restrictions and the current hot weather, please stay at home and stay safe one more time."

Anyone with information about an unlicensed music event or anyone suspicious that one might be taking place should call Northamptonshire Police on 101 quoting Operation Thirsk.