December 2, 2013 5.48 pm This story is over 123 months old

Police clamp down on illegal rave near Lincoln

Rave dismantled: Police prevented some 400 people to attend an illegal rave near Lincoln at the weekend.
An illegal rave party in south Lincolnshire in June 2013.

Lincolnshire Police prevented some 400 people to attend an illegal rave near Lincoln on Saturday, November 30.

The unlicensed music event, also known as a rave, was held near Sturton by Stow, outside Lincoln. Only an estimated 80 (correction, not 20) people were able to attend.

Police said the event was being held in unlicensed dilapidated farm buildings near the village, and did not have the required fire safety measures in place or medical facilities.

Acting on intelligence ahead of the event, police warned revellers that they will try to stop the event from taking place.

On Saturday night, Lincolnshire Police blocked access roads to the Sturton by Stow area to turn away people wanting to attend the party.

Checks were in place on roads in the area and a significant volume of ‘Section 27’ Orders were issued, requiring people leave the area as police believed there would be alcohol-related anti-social behaviour.

Cars were also seized and two men were arrested, one on suspicion of drink driving and one for possession of an offensive weapon and controlled drugs.

Lincolnshire Police Superintendent Phil Vickers said: “The information that we were able to corroborate and then act on, was that a large number of people were to be invited onto private premises on payment of an entry fee.

“The premises were not licensed, were dilapidated farm buildings, did not have the required fire safety measures in place or medical facilities, and presented a significant risk to those attending.

“We were acutely aware that the event would also cause significant disruption to rural communities over a wide area – from Scampton to Sturton by Stow.

“A combination of risk to attendees and impact on rural communities meant we felt an operation of this nature was necessary.

“As we warned, every power available to us in law was used and we worked with partners at West Lindsey District Council to ensure the safety of those intending to access the site and enforce noise nuisance legislation.

“In advance, we told people not to waste their time and money because they would be turned away and that is exactly what happened.

“For example we stopped a car of people who had travelled in excess of 150 miles from Surrey.

” We had engaged with the organisers in advance, hoping that they would prevent people from wasting their journey, but they declined to do this.

“Our clear message to organisers of any similar events in the future is that this is the policing response they can expect to be greeted with – Unlicensed music events and raves that present a risk to those attending, as well as significant disruption to rural communities will be Policed robustly in Lincolnshire.”