Thornton teenager arrested over plans to organise illegal rave planned on Fylde Coast

A dedicated policing operation was put in place to ensure an illegal "quarantine rave" - which was due to take place on the Fylde Coast this evening (June 19) - did not go ahead.

Police were spotted in Thornton after an allusive social media page posted the event would take place at Wyre Estuary Country Park from 6pm.

One riot van, one police car and an unmarked car, along with rangers from Wyre Council, were paroling the area, according to eye witness reports.

Officers have now confirmed an 18-year-old man from Thornton has been arrested in connection with the organisation of the rave.

A spokesperson for Blackpool Police said: "We have arrested an 18-year-old man from Thornton in connection with the organisation of the illegal rave in the Blackpool area.

"Although any event has been disrupted, we will still be in the area."

Police will continue to monitor routes and key locations across the county to ensure no illegal activity takes place.

Deputy Chief Constable Terry Woods said: "A clear message to anyone thinking of arranging illegal raves in Lancashire.

"Due to the risk it presents to the public we will attach significant resources to proactively track you down and arrest you."

IIlegal raves have already wreaked havoc Manchester, with two "quarantine raves" attracting 6,000 people last Saturday (June 13).

Some 4,000 people attended one rave in a field near Daisy Nook Country Park, Failsworth, where a 20-year-old man died of a suspected drug overdose.

Up to 2,000 others went to another event at a brownfield site in Carrington, Trafford, where three people were stabbed and a woman was raped.

Supt Damian Kitchen, who oversees policing in Blackpool, said: "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 into trouble.

"Recent events in the region have seen serious physical and sexual assaults reported and the safety of people at them simply can’t be guaranteed."

If you see anything that you're concerned about, including suspicious and anti-social behaviour or significant gatherings, contact police by calling 101.