Unlicensed "Valentine’s Day rave" in Devon shut down by police

An illegal rave celebrating Valentine’s Day has been shut down by police in Devon, according to the BBC.

The event was reported to have been attended by around 250-300 people on Saturday night, before officers attempted to shut it down in the early hours of Sunday morning — two sets of speakers were later seized by police.

Set up to celebrate this year’s Valentine’s Day, which falls today, February 14, the illegal rave took place near the A38 in Haldon Forest just close to Devon and was thought to be advertised on social media under the name ‘Valentine’s Rave’.

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The event was reportedly shut down at 3:AM on Sunday morning, with one person arrested for drink and drug offences.

“The area had been completely cleared by the early afternoon on Sunday,” said Acting Chief Inspector Steve Philp following the illegal event.

“A potentially difficult situation was resolved quickly and peacefully. Illegal raves were not just a nuisance to local communities by playing loud music, blocking roads and littering the area, but they are a danger to those who attend too.”

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Philip also added that locations such as these are usually picked for their remoteness, but are often “not suitable for large-scale gatherings”.

According to Devon and Cornwall police, checkpoints were set up to check the “intoxication and substance misuse” of those leaving the rave.

A force statement added: “Police teams responded to reports of an unlicensed music event near the A38 where approximately 250 - 300 people were in attendance for what was believed to have been arranged on social media as a ‘Valentine’s Rave’.”

Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Editorial Assistant, follow her on Twitter