Devon & Cornwall Police is working with partners and local residents to make potential locations unattractive to organisers of raves (also called unlicensed music events or UMEs).
There is an increased possibility of these events taking place over the bank holiday weekends, of which there are two this month.
Uniformed and plain clothes officers are regularly patrolling areas which have been identified as possible targets for rave organisers. They are also working with farmers and landowners to secure sites and make them unsuitable locations.
Raves can cause misery communities, with loud music keeping people awake, and businesses affected, too. It also has a significant impact on livestock and wildlife, and land is often left badly damaged.
“We would like to encourage our local communities, including farmers and landowners, to take proactive and pre-emptive measures to make it an unattractive option for organisers by keeping their land, open spaces, and property secure,” said a police spokesperson.
“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.”
Communities can help the police by reporting:
- An unusual increase in road traffic in rural areas
- Social media activity advertising the rave and its location
- Vehicles carrying sound equipment
- Large gatherings of people in unusual areas late at night (eg farmland, open countryside or abandoned buildings).
Anyone seeing these signs can report them by calling 101, or if they see organisers setting up equipment, call 999. You can also report, 100% anonymously, to the charity Crimestoppers either via its website or by calling 0800 555 111.
