“Let people enjoy themselves”: Police shut down illegal woodland rave in Burnley
The event, which took place close to Crowd Point Ruins, Lancashire, continued through Saturday night before being forced to end on Sunday morning
Police shut down an illegal rave in a woodland area in Burnley, Lancashire, over the weekend following noise complaints from “local residents”.
Despite taking place miles away from residential areas, Burnley and Padiham Police say they received noise complaints from those living in the Crown Points area on Saturday (September 6) with music heard throughout the night.
According to police, officers attended the scene close to Crown Point Ruins on Saturday night, where they “assessed the events” and decided not to take action.
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The next morning, police returned to the event and shut it down “with immediate effect” under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, “directing persons to leave the woodland” and take with them “their music equipment and vehicles”.
“It is an offence to return to the land within seven days for anyone issued with a notice and also an offence for any other people who, within 24 hours, attend the land knowing that a direction has been issued,” police said in a statement (via Lancashire Evening Post).
“We have listened to resident’s concerns overnight, and take reports of anti-social behaviour such as this seriously," they continued.
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In response to the police statement on Facebook, locals shared mixed reactions to the illegal event, with some backing ravers, and others complaining that the noise raged on for some “18 hours”.
“What neighbours? It’s in the middle of nowhere,” one person said. Another commented: “I heard the police went up, and as far as I know, they were absolutely lovely.”
“Happy with proceedings, bins up, wellness tent, out in the middle nowhere,” they claimed. “I think it’s healthy to let people enjoy themselves from time to time – it was a Saturday, I think the people that do and go to these events are conscious about litter etc.”
Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Associate Digital Editor, follow her on Twitter