Police vow to put a stop to illegal rave plans in Chorley

Police patrols will be stepped up in Chorley tonight to put a stop to any illegal raves taking place in the area.
Police on patrol in Wyre last nightPolice on patrol in Wyre last night
Police on patrol in Wyre last night

Officers will be monitoring key locations, and any people caught travelling on foot or by car to an event will be turned away, a spokesman said.

The announcement comes amid rumours that an illegal rave has been planned in the Rivington and Belmont area tonight.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Superintendent Damian Kitchen said: "Similar events across the region have already proved to be unregulated and unsafe, with none of the facilities or security operatives one would expect at a legal festival or music event. There is an increased risk to the health and safety of anyone attending and those involved in the organisation of unlicensed music events risk prosecution.

"The law around gatherings of more than six people to protect everyone from Coronavirus is also still in place."

Two dance parties - called 'quarantine raves' - wreaked havoc in Manchester last week.

One man died of a suspected drug overdose at an event at Daisy Nook Country Park in Oldham, which was attended by around 4,000 people and left the park littered with rubbish. A separate rave at Carrington last Saturday, which attracted around 2,000 people, resulted in three stabbings and a rape.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Another rave in the Blackpool area had been advertised on Instagram, and was supposed to take place last night, however the event did not go ahead.

Police patrols were increased across the Fylde coast and one 18-year-old man from Thornton was arrested in connection with the organisation of the rave. He has since been released under investigation.

Supt Kitchen said: "We understand that it has been a difficult time for everyone recently, particularly young people who will not have been able to socialise with their peers in the environments they are used to, but the Coronavirus regulations are still in place and they are there to protect people and save lives. The virus is definitely not gone away and many areas of the North West continue to see high infection rates.

"If you are a parent or guardian, please pass on the message that these events can be harmful to your children's health and they could end up getting themselves in trouble. Recent events in the region, which have been unregulated and unsafe, have seen serious physical and sexual assaults reported, and the safety of people attending simply cannot be guaranteed."