Police arrest two men as they crack down on illegal raves after man, 20, died of drug overdose, woman, 18, was raped and three men were stabbed at two events last Saturday
- Greater Manchester Police made two arrests after illegal raves in the area
- On Friday, 33-year-old man arrested in relation to rave in Carrington, Trafford
- A 22-year-old arrested in relation to Daisy Nook Country Park, Oldham, today
Police in Greater Manchester are taking ‘serious action’ to deter more illegal raves after making two arrests.
A dedicated operation has been set up by the force after a 20-year-old man died of a suspected drug overdose, an 18-year-old woman was raped and three men were stabbed at two events last Saturday attended by more than 6,000 people.
On Friday, police raided a house in Salford and arrested a 33-year-old man on suspicion of conspiracy to cause a public nuisance and criminal damage in relation to a rave in Carrington, Trafford.
Police arrested a 33-year-old man on suspicion of conspiracy to cause a public nuisance and criminal damage after an illegal lockdown rave in Carrington, Trafford (pictured)
While on Saturday, a 22-year-old man was held on suspicion of criminal damage and public nuisance at the second rave at Daisy Nook Country Park in Oldham.
Police said the latest arrest came from intelligence gathered by its dedicated operation.
Assistant chief constable Nick Bailey said: ‘I want to start by saying that following last weekend’s raves at Carrington and Daisy Nook we are taking serious action to deter a repeat of these events and are proactively working alongside our partners to gather intelligence and put a stop to this type of illegal activity to protect our communities.
‘We have a suspect in custody and our detectives remain committed to thoroughly investigating these illegal raves to identify and pursue anyone involved in the organisation of them as well as anyone who was involved in the serious incidents that occurred.
‘I would like to thank the public for their support so far in helping us to gather the intelligence which has led to this second arrest.
‘Please do continue to contact us with any information you may have about last weekend’s raves or any planned for the future via our website or 101.’
Greater Manchester Police treated a man who was stabbed at last weekend’s illegal rave in Carrington
Cheshire Police said they are aware of intelligence suggesting raves are planned this weekend in the Macclesfield Forest and Hale/Speke areas.
Superintendent Jo Marshall-Bell said: ‘I would urge anyone who is planning to attend an illegal rave to think twice.
‘We have a dedicated policing operation in place and increased police presence across the county throughout the weekend.
‘Our teams will be patrolling key locations and they will act on any intelligence they receive regarding any possible events.
‘We will continue to use common sense and discretion to determine what is reasonable, with officers engaging, explaining, encouraging and, only as a last resort, enforcing.
‘However, where illegal gatherings or raves do take place proportionate action will be taken, which may include arrest or even prosecution.
‘Any music equipment will also be seized.’
Shocking pictures showed the aftermath of an illegal ‘Quarantine Rave’ at Oldham beauty spot Daisy Nook Country Park
An 18-year-old man from Thornton, Lancashire, arrested in connection with a planned rave on Friday night has been released under investigation.
Blackpool Police tweeted: ‘The planned illegal rave in Fylde last night didn’t go ahead – however our response showed the approach we will take to any such events.
‘Info about a similar one being planned? Tell 101.’
Police in Staffordshire said officers had to break up a gathering of more than 1,000 people in Lichfield last weekend.
The force said they are aware of plans for further ‘utterly unacceptable’ illegal raves and will have a heavy police presence patrolling ‘potential hotspot areas’.
They warned anyone attending could be arrested if they fail to comply with a direction to leave, while organisers will be ‘dealt with robustly and may be prosecuted’.