Rave is held behind club
POLICE are calling on parents for help after a 200-person rave attended by youngsters was busted near a football club in County Durham.
Officers were called to the mass gathering at in an area behind Consett Football Club on Saturday, and found around 200 people and a sound system behind the club.
The gathering was not connected to the club.
The local policing team in Consett said in a post on social media: “Officers attended Consett Football Club after receiving reports of a large gathering causing a disturbance.
“On arriving, around 200 young people – and a sound system – were found behind the premises. The group dispersed in the directions of Consett and Leadgate. Things may be returning to some semblance of normality at the moment, but we’d like to remind everyone that we aren’t out of the woods yet, and large gatherings are still not advisable.
“Any further reports of antisocial behaviour will be investigated and dealt with appropriately, but in the meantime, we’d appreciate the help of parents in making sure that your kids are accounted for.”
They added that anyone with concerns should contact the Consett neighbourhood police team on 101.
The incident comes just days after a new law was passed, allowing police to fine the organisers of illegal gatherings of more than 30 people up to £10,000.
Those who attend the gatherings and don’t wear face masks when it is mandatory can be fined £100.
Elsewhere in County Durham, police in Peterlee have also issued a warning over “large groups of drunken youths” and reported assaults on emergency service workers.
They said: “Police have received a number of reports of large groups of drunken youths in the Wingate area in the past two weeks. These youths have assaulted emergency service workers who are trying to keep them safe. Is your child one of these?
“It is strongly advised that parents attend this area and remove their children to a safe place.
“Officers will deal robustly with any youths found to be causing public order offences or found to be drunk.”