Police crackdown on raves

Rob GarrattPolice have issued a warning to would-be ravers that they will be using 'all necessary resources' to tackle unlicensed New Year's music events in the county.Rob Garratt

Police have issued a warning to would-be ravers that they will be using 'all necessary resources' to tackle unlicensed New Year's music events in the county.

Norfolk Constabulary have announced they will putting out specialist patrols to target unauthorised raves.

Chief Superintendent Tony Cherington says the force will be taking a zero-tolerance approach to unlicensed events which are unsafe and disruptive to local communities.

The force also detailed plans to work closely with police in Suffolk to share information across borders about suspected ravers.

Chief Supt Cherington said: 'I want to make it quite clear that we will use all necessary resources to prevent, disrupt and close down illegal raves in this county. We have issued this warning as we approach the New Year festivities.

'We will continue to take a hard line and seek to prosecute and seize and destroy the equipment of anyone found to be involved in their organisation. We will be putting on a significant police presence over the festive period to achieve our aims.'

Police have been working with landowners, the Forestry Commission and Farmwatch to offer security advice in advance of celebrations.

Members of the public are urged to report suspicious activity to police, and keep an eye out for trespassers, large gatherings of vehicles or vans which could be carrying sound equipment.

Anyone with information about an illegal rave or is witnesses to suspicious activity on farmland or in buildings should contact Norfolk Constabulary immediately by calling 999 or 0845 4564567.