Early warning stops rave in its tracks

Police were called just after midnight on Saturday night by residents who said they had seen a number of vehicles that were not usually around.

Officers were able to stop the rave before it had even begun, seizing speakers and other sound equipment as well as two vehicles.

The action came on the same weekend that police issued a formal warning letter to a Worthing man who organised a rave at Highdown Hill on August 5, which kept nearby residents up until 8am with loud music.

The letter was served by inspector Mark Hammond, from Littlehampton police, who told the Gazette the man was warned he could be given an anti-social behaviour order if he was involved in setting up another illegal party.

Insp Hammond said: "The people who selfishly set up these raves do so because they think they have a right to party where they want, but they don't.

"The thumping music from these parties travels for miles around and is a public nuisance. Our first priority was to make sure we reduced as much as possible the public disturbance caused.

"Not only are there people living nearby but the Chestnut Tree House children's hospice is just down the road and the children there would have been affected as well."

Insp Hammond said that police acted immediately when they received information about the party being set up at Blakehurst.

Officers quickly gained the relevant authorisation from the duty force commander to enter the land and seize the equipment and vehicles involved.

When they arrived at the site they found several people in the process of setting up sound equipment.

No arrests were made but the equipment and two vehicles were seized and are still being held by police until the owners come to claim them back and may have to pay a storage fee.

Insp Hammond said: "This is a good example of when the police are able to receive early information regarding the setting up of raves.

"It enables us to quickly assess the location and the resources needed to safely disrupt this type of anti-social activity.

"We have a good intelligence system being developed, complemented by the sophisticated Farm Watch system being used by the police, dedicated local neighbourhood specialist team officers working in the community and an active Rave Watch working group with the local farms and landowners."

He added: "Working in this way, in a truly community-based partnership, allows us to really focus on trying to solve issues that affect so many people."

Insp Hammond urged anyone living in rural locations who suspected a rave being set up to contact police straight away.