Police warning over illegal raves planned for Northamptonshire this weekend

Police fear ravers are planning illegal Bank Holiday weekend parties in Northamptonshire.

Empty warehouses or countryside fields are favourite venues for music events which attract thousands, prompting complaints about noise and nuisance and can be more difficult to clear once they are established.

And local officers are appealing for people to watch out for signs of raves being planned in the county ahead of the three-day weekend.

Superintendent Dennis Murray, said: “Illegal raves often cause upset in the local community with anti-social behaviour and traffic problems prevalent, however social distancing guidelines mean it’s more important than ever that these events don’t take place.

“Mass gatherings are currently banned and we are asking anyone who may be thinking of organising an event to think again about their plans.”

Police shut down an illegal rave attended by around 70 people in a Shropshire country park last weekend.

Now officers here are asking rural residents to watch for any suspicious activity and report it.

Things to look out for include posters advertising events, cropped bolts on farm gates, people in cars, camper vans or trucks stopping to look into a field or climbing over fences into a field and flattened hedgerows.

Supt Murray added: “We want to remind people, especially those in rural communities, to be alert to any suspicious activity.

“We can nip illegal raves in the bud and stop them taking place if we have reliable information.

“We're often alerted to raves by people calling us to complain about a sudden increase in traffic and anti-social behaviour as people arrive at a venue.

“I would also urge people to be on the lookout for anything out of the ordinary in their community, no matter how trivial it may seem.

“In many cases those people who are looking to set-up a rave will visit the proposed site a couple of days before the event and I would urge anyone who spots any suspicious activity in their village, along a country road or around farm land to let us know.”

Anyone wanting to report suspicious activity can do so via the Do It Online button on the Northamptonshire Police website, or by calling the force on 101.