Taking on the rural ravers

I CANNOT, surely, be the only one to have applauded Dorset police for their robust response to an illegal rave near Lulworth last week.

- Chris Rundle

The aftermath of a gathering on Dartmoor in 2019

(Penny Cross)

Because there was something refreshing about watching officers fulfilling the role they are supposed to in dealing with such illegal activities and restoring normality to a tranquil part of the countryside.

I don’t suppose their general mood was much helped by having missiles thrown at them. But a tally of 11 arrests - including a number for assault and driving under the influence - and the seizure of (presumably expensive) sound equipment represented a very satisfactory outcome to an operation characterised by the hostile and violent reception the police received when they turned up.

More importantly this should send a message to other would-be rave organisers that they simply cannot stage such events on a whim whatever the damage to the environment or the inconvenience they visit on local people and expect to get away with it.

If they are going to have their collars felt, hauled in front of the bench, fined and see their costly sound systems confiscated they might think at least twice about it.

Equally I hope Dorset police’s action will serve as a model for others to follow in controlling a trend which is starting to punctuate every bank holiday weekend and ruin it for rural residents.

Because the response from one or two neighbouring forces when faced with a similar situation has all too often been appallingly spineless.

Landowners who have complained have been advised that trespass - unless criminal damage can be demonstrated as being used to facilitate it - is a civil matter and they should contact the family solicitor as soon as the office opens on Monday morning. And now if you'll excuse me, sir, I must be getting along: some old dear has just phoned in to report her cat's gone missing.