Ramp up security to prevent illegal raves, farmers told

Farmers are being urged to increase their security to stop illegal raves being held on their land this August bank holiday weekend.

The majority of unlicensed musical events (raves) take place in the summer when revelers take advantage of the longer evenings and warmer weather.

But they can cause untold damage to gates, crops and farm buildings, running into tens of thousands of pounds. The cost of cleaning up afterwards can also be significant.

See also: Illegal rave on farmland closed down

Police rely on information from the public to let them know if raves are taking place, or suspicious activity that could indicate one is being planned.

Countryside group the Country, Land and Business Association (CLA) is advising its 33,000 members in England and Wales to reduce the risks of any raves occurring in empty and remote buildings by ensuring they are secure and regularly monitored.

Access to land should be restricted wherever possible by the use of locked gates, it added. And any unusual activity around buildings or land should be reported to the police.

Suspicious activity around open land or disused buildings to report to the police includes:

• Information that an illegal rave is taking place

• Sightings of vans, lorries or large numbers of vehicles gathering near woods, rural car parks or near to disused buildings/warehouse

• Sightings of fliers advertising raves; and

• Broken padlocks on access gates to areas where a rave may take place.

CLA East regional director Ben Underwood said illegal raves caused huge disruption to local communities, with the resulting mess harming both wildlife and the environment.

“These illegal gatherings can also create unnecessary problems for landowners, who could fall victim to considerable clean-up costs and expensive repairs to outbuildings,” he added.

“Officers find it much harder to shut down a rave once it has already started, so if you spot anyone suspicious on rural land or a number of unfamiliar vehicles in your area, please report it on the non-emergency number of 101 as soon as possible.”

See also: Farmer hit by illegal rave tells of stress and damage