Devon & Cornwall Police is working with partners and local residents to make potential locations in the counties unattractive to organisers of raves (also called unlicensed music events or UMEs).
Bank Holiday weekends see an increase in the possibility of a rave in Devon and Cornwall, with the May bank holidays in particular being attractive dates.
Uniformed and plain clothes officers are regularly patrolling areas which have been identified as possible targets of rave organisers, and officers are also working with farmers and landowners to secure sites and make them unsuitable locations.
“We know the misery raves can cause to nearby residents, with loud music keeping people aware for hours on end,” said a police spokesperson. “It also has a significant impact on livestock and wildlife, and often participants leave the land badly damaged.
“We would like to encourage our local communities, including farmers and landowners, to take proactive and pre-emptive measures to help [protect] their land and open spaces, and secure their property, to make it an unattractive option for organisers.
These measures can be as simple as ensuring padlocks on gateways are serviceable, broken fences or open gateways are closed, and any buildings are properly secured.
Members of the public can also help by reporting any of the following in their local area:
- An unusual increase in road traffic in rural areas
- Social media activity advertising a rave and its location
- Vehicles carrying sound equipment
- Large gatherings of people in unusual areas (for example farmland, open countryside or abandoned buildings) late at night.
The police spokesperson added: “If they see this, they should call us on 101 or, if they see organisers setting up equipment, 999. People can also anonymously report observations to CrimeStoppers either via their website or by calling 0800 555 111.
“Our aim is to deter organisers of unlicensed music events from choosing locations within Devon and Cornwall due to the noise and disruption they cause to both people and wildlife in the area.”
