Plan to stop 'Illegal raves' on Dartmoor (From Mid Devon Star)
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Plan to stop 'Illegal raves' on Dartmoor
9:12am Wednesday 22nd August 2012 in Devon
Following an 'illegal rave' at Bellever on Dartmoor in June, police have joined forces with other agencies to plan a strategy aimed at preventing similar events.
PC Dave Pickles, neighbourhood beat manager, said, “This type of unregulated event is not only dangerous to those attending but causes disruption to people who live around the site.
“Experience shows that raves result in arrests for drink driving, drug possession and we would not shy away from seizing sound equipment.
“The key to preventing raves is an early warning from the public. If anyone suspects people are visiting the moor 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."
Discussions have taken place between police, National Park, Forestry Commission, West Devon Environmental Health, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue (Princetown) and Southwest Lakes Trusts.
An Emergency Services Day will be held at Princetown School between 12pm and 4pm on Saturday 25 August 2012 and the public are invited to attend and share their views.