Police warning over illegal raves still being planned for Easter weekend

Police fear rave organisers are planning to go ahead with events in Northamptonshire this weekend.

They warn officers could be put at risk if they are called to break up illegal music events and are forced to come into close contact with revellers.

Empty warehouses or countryside fields are favourite venues for illegal music events which attract thousands, prompting complaints about noise and nuisance.

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

Neighbourhood Policing Sergeant Chris Stevens said: "In the current climate with the Covid-19 restrictions in place, it is more important than ever that these events do not take place.

“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.

“We can nip illegal raves in the bud and stop them taking place if we have reliable information so we want to remind people, especially those in rural communities, to be alert to any suspicious activity. .

“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.

"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.”

Around 1,000 revellers attended an illegal New Year's Eve rave on a Corby industrial estate after breaking a padlock to get in earlier this year

Police say 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.

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