Police promise robust action against illegal raves
Police will again instigate Operation Derig this Bank Holiday weekend aimed at preventing or disrupting organised illegal raves.
The police clampdown is a response to the impact that these events have on police resources. According to Devon and Cornwall Police: "Each year in Devon and Cornwall a significant police resource is required to respond and manage the removal of a number of illegal raves."
"This diverts valuable resources away from regular policing and has a damaging impact on the affected communities and the immediate local environment."
In response the spring and summer months will see intelligence led operations under Operation Derig aimed at preventing or disrupting illegal rave events in Devon and Cornwall.
Dedicated officers will patrol potential areas of risk to illegal gatherings in order to provide a timely response and prevent such events from taking place.
The next dedicated patrols will take place over the coming Bank Holiday weekend.
The force says it has spent considerable time engaging with local communities previously affected by these illegal gatherings. It has partnered with agencies including the National Park, Forestry Commission, Environmental Health, and Southwest Lakes Trust with the aim of sharing information and preventing similar events in the future.
A police spokesperson said: "These types of unregulated events are not only dangerous to those attending but cause disruption to people who live around the sites.
"Experience shows that raves result in arrests for drink driving and drug possession and we will not shy away from seizing sound equipment."
Detective Superintendent Glen Mayhew said, “Whilst illegal raves tend to occur in the remote areas, they have an impact on local residents and others who look to make use of these areas for leisure activities.
"The raves are illegal as they are not only very disruptive but they present dangers to those who attend. Safety regulations used at all public events were introduced to ensure safety of those attending, yet illegal raves do not follow any guidance. We have seen incidents where people have got lost in poor weather in very remote areas and come to harm, as well as people attending suffering medical episodes and in need of medical attention – yet due to terrain and the management of the rave site it is extremely difficult for police and other emergency services to respond to calls."
"During previous illegal raves, we have arrested people connected with the organised sale of illegal drugs as well as drink driving and criminal damage. We will not shy away from using all appropriate legislation to prevent such events and where a rave has been established we will look to seize sound equipment.
"Investigations will be conducted against the organisers who could be liable for criminal and civil offences.
"The key to preventing illegal raves is an early notification from the public. If anyone suspects people are visiting a particular area with a view to planning an illegal gathering, or they see the site being set up then please ring the police as it is more effective to prevent raves taking place rather than trying to stop them when they are in full swing.
"We would actively encourage members of the public to report any illegal gatherings as soon as possible in order the police may prevent them from taking place. We will take this robust action not only to prevent the disruption to the community but also to ensure the safety of those who may otherwise put themselves in danger by attending such an event”.
