Police shut down illegal rave near Peterborough

Officers were alerted to the incident following calls from members of the public in the early hours the morning on Sunday.

The event, which had around 80 people attending was taking place on land near Kings Cliffe and RAF Wittering.

Officers used Covid-19 legislation to disperse those in attendance.

Supt Richard Tompkins said: “We had several calls from members of the public about a large gathering and loud music which could be heard from a considerable distance.

“When we arrived on the site there were about 80 young adults attending an unlicensed music event.

“Our intention was to approach this from both a public nuisance and public health perspective and we closed down the event using coronavirus legislation.

“As is often the case at events like this, it is challenging to identify organisers, however, we spoke to those in the immediate vicinity of the sound equipment about potentially seizing it.

“We also made it clear we could issue large fines to anybody we believed to be involved in the organisation of an event of more than 30 people.

“They immediately turned off the music and have left the site.”

Anyone with any information that an unlicensed music event may be taking place or being planned can call Northamptonshire Police on 101 or report online via the ‘Do It Online’ button at www.northants.police.uk.