Illegal Rave Closed Down In Flitwick

10 May 2013, 12:07 | Updated: 10 May 2013, 12:10

Thanks to early information received from members of the public, Bedfordshire Police were able to close down an illegal rave which was planned in Flitwick on Bank Holiday Monday (May 6).

At around 6.45pm, Bedfordshire Police received a call from a member of the public concerned about a gathering of 30 to 40 teenagers close to the Village Hall in Dunstable Road, Flitwick. It transpired that a substantial amount of sound equipment had also been set up and music was being played at loud levels very close to houses in the town.

As the numbers of attendees started to increase, officers attended the location and were able to locate a vehicle that was carrying the sound equipment and had also been linked with other raves in the area.

Three people were identified as the being the organisers and responsible for providing the sound system. Despite several warnings from the police, the organisers refused to turn down the music or bring the event to a halt. As a result, all three were arrested in relation to causing a public nuisance. Their sound equipment was seized along with their vehicles.

Others revellers in attendance quickly left the area.

Sergeant Phil Boyd of the Local Policing Team said the arrests send a clear warning to other organisers that Bedfordshire Police will not tolerate raves that are unlicensed by the local authority and present serious health and safety risk to revellers.

He said: "The key to interrupting raves is early intervention and residents in Flitwick quickly supplied us with intelligence that helped us to put the appropriate resources in place. Had police not received the information that we did about this rave, it is our belief it would have become a full scale event and gone on well into Tuesday morning and caused misery for residents.

"We would ask the public to continue working with us and contact us the moment they suspect a rave may be being organised as once they are established they are notoriously difficult to disrupt."

Chief Inspector Shane Roberts added: "I said last week that positive action would be taken against those who organise illegal raves and that is exactly what has happened. Thanks to local information we were able to close down the rave before it had chance to take hold and seize the organisers equipment.

"We get regular complaints from residents because they are being kept awake by loud music, as well as from the owners of the places where the parties are held about the damage being caused to their property and land as well as the financial costs that are incurred.

"I would urge farmers, landowners and business owners to keep an eye on their properties, ensure that all entrances and exits are protected from unwanted vehicle and to report anything suspicious as quickly as possible.

"If you are planning on attending raves beware, as you will more than likely be coming face-to-face with our officers."

Anyone with information about a rave can contact Bedfordshire Police in confidence, on the non-emergency 101 number, or text information to 07786 200011.

Alternatively contact independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111, or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org