Bourne: Illegal Rave

17 June 2013, 15:01 | Updated: 17 June 2013, 15:07

Around 250 people were removed from an illegal rave near Bourne early on Sunday morning.

On Saturday night, into Sunday morning, police received intelligence that a large number of cars were travelling from the Norfolk area to attend a rave in Bourne Woods at Hanthorpe.

The vehicles were intercepted, searched and the drivers were turned away.

35 police officers were then given permission to attend the rave site.

Officers attempted to negotiate with the organisers of the rave after several noise complaints from local residents.

Negotiations didn't work, and at around 4.30am a line of officers with dogs advanced on and dispersed around 250 people.

The crowd were moved back from the sound system, which a local inspector turned off.

The organisers were ordered to strip down the equipment and leave the area, and they were escorted to the county boundary.

Two people were arrested on suspicion of possession of illegal drugs with intent to supply. They have been questioned and released on police bail.

Two people were bitten by police dogs, but were not seriously hurt.

Ch Insp Mark Housley said: "We hope this sends a very clear message to those thinking about holding illegal raves in Lincolnshire. Where possible and appropriate, we will take tough police action to prevent and disrupt such events, particularly when they are having a negative impact on our communities.

"We are working with partners and legal advisors to identify methods by which the Police and Landowners might seek civil recovery of costs of Policing and cleaning up after illegal raves from those who organise such events."