Police in Cornwall and Devon want to make areas "unattractive” to rave in

Devon and Cornwall police are working with landowners to make areas “more unattractive” to rave in, as part of an effort for “vigilance against raves”.

This comes ahead of the August bank holiday weekend as police anticipate an influx of partygoers — the two counties have become popular areas for illegal raves post-lockdown.

Chief Superintendent Ian Drummond-Smith explains in a statement: “We know the misery raves can cause to nearby residents, with loud music keeping people aware for hours on end. It also [significantly impacts] livestock and wildlife, and often participants leave the land badly damaged.”

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He explains that the police are partnering with local organisations to “advise farmers and landowners on how to secure their property to make it an unattractive option for organisers.”

“We keep a close eye on reports of planned events and our response will be robust to stop any event before it starts,” he says.

“Our aim is to deter organisers of unlicensed music events from choosing locations within Devon and Cornwall due to the noise and disruption they cause to both people and wildlife in the area.”

In June, thousands of people travelled from across the UK during one weekend to attend an illegal party in Cornwall.

The impromptu weekender first appeared on the Davidstow Moor in Camelford close to the border of Devon on Friday ahead of the Jubilee weekend. The rave got a bad report from local residents, who claimed it was loud and disruptive.

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Conversely, residents' reactions were surprisingly good after reports of an all-night rave at Loe Bar Beach in Cornwall in January.

Residents said that the ravers were “extremely polite” and that after clearing out after themselves, it was the “cleanest” they’d seen it in the area.

One resident commented: ”Good luck to them, with lock-downs and restrictions for the last two years there’s not a lot else for them to do. If I wasn’t an old biddy and it wasn’t cold I’d join them!”.

Aneesa Ahmed is Mixmag's Digital Intern, follow her on Twitter