Bank holiday raves fought head on

Rubbish was left behind after a rave in Denge Wood in May 2005

Members of the public are being asked to help prevent illegal raves being staged in the Kent countryside over the August bank holiday weekend.

Large-scale music events have happened in rural areas around Canterbury in previous years, and police are planning to tackle them head on.

Residents are being told to report vans entering woods or generators and sound systems being moved about.

Police want to seize equipment and turn people away before any raves can begin.

Environmental damage

Supt Joanna Young said: "It is very difficult for us to safely close a party involving hundreds of people in the pitch dark.

"To successfully deal with illegal raves we need to stop them becoming established using powers under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act."

She said people should look out for large numbers of cars and people on foot descending on a specific location.

Kent Police said illegal raves disturbed nearby residents and could harm the environment, such as the damage caused to orchid and butterfly habitats in Denge Wood near Canterbury in May 2005.