POLICE are advising local communities, farmers and landowners to watch out for and report raves this month. 

Local residents should shut their gates, check padlocks and secure buildings to make potential rave locations “unattractive to organisers”. 

“There is an increased possibility of these events taking place over the bank holiday weekends, with two in May – this weekend coming and the weekend of May 25,” a Devon and Cornwall Police spokesperson said. 

“Uniformed and plain clothes officers are regularly patrolling areas which have been identified as possible targets of rave organisers and we are also working with farmers and landowners to secure sites and make them unsuitable locations.   

“We know the misery raves can cause to the local communities with loud music keeping people awake for hours on end, and businesses impacted too.  

“It also has a significant impact on livestock and wildlife and land is often left badly damaged.”   

Police are also asking people to report tell-tale signs of raves in their local area. 

These include an unusual rise in traffic in rural places, social media activity advertising raves, vehicles carrying sound equipment and large gatherings late at night in fields or abandoned buildings. 

You can report these signs by calling police on 101, or 999 if you see organisers setting up equipment. 

You can also anonymously make a report to the charity Crimestoppers either on its website or by calling 0800 555 111.