Officers from Sussex Police’s rural crime team are reminding landowners that illegal raves are more likely as people celebrate the new year.
The team, which focuses on wildlife, environmental and agricultural crime, said it will be patrolling day and night to prepare landowners and help to prevent unsafe gatherings.
It will also be working to prevent damage to farmland and harm to farm animals.
Sussex Police have previously given guidance ahead of potential illegal raves.
PC Carlo Leone, of the Sussex Police Rural Crime Team, said: “Essentially, we want to be proactive in reducing the chances of illegal raves occurring in Sussex countryside this New Year, but also at any time. Our primary concern is public safety, and without proper infrastructure an incident could turn into a catastrophe.
“As we saw with the 2021 Steyning rave, there were around 90 arrests. The vast majority of these were for drink and drug-driving offences. That’s around 90 people at risk of killing themselves, their passengers or other innocent road users.
“Typically, raves lead to an influx of people to a rural location, which can seriously disrupt local residents through loud music, antisocial behaviour, littering, increased traffic, making them feel unsafe, etc.
“Then there’s the potential for harm to the farms themselves, such as livestock worrying and damage to land, costing hard-up farmers.
“Lastly, a lot of our countryside (especially the South Downs) is full of protected historical sites. Most people are unaware of the huge amount of barrow mounds or hill forts in the chalk downs. To the lay-person, it is often impossible to distinguish what is an ancient site or not as they aren’t obvious or sign-posted. Damage to these ancient sites is irreparable and then lost to the nation for the sake of a social gathering.
“Our advice to land owners would be to lock all gates, check all outbuildings regularly and report any unusual build-up of people crossing land or parking down country lanes.”
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