Officers from Nottinghamshire Police attended a music gathering in woodland near West Drayton in Bassetlaw in the early hours of Sunday after neighbours reported loud noise. The event was shut down quickly and those present were dispersed without any arrests, the force said.
Rapid response to complaints
Police said they were called shortly before 2.15am on Sunday 26 July about loud music coming from the site. On arrival, officers found what they believed to be an unlawful rave and took action to bring it to an end. The music was stopped and attendees were moved away from the area using powers under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act.
“Having received complaints about the noise coming from this site, our officers attended and identified what appeared to be an illegal rave. This was quickly shut down without any issues, with those in attendance moved on using policing powers under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act,”
Detective Chief Inspector Les Charlton, who commented on the incident, added that the force understands the concern such events cause to local communities and that it will work with partners to find long-term measures to prevent repeat occurrences.
What happened, in brief
| Time | Action |
|---|---|
| Shortly before 2.15am | Noise reported to police |
| Shortly after | Officers attended woodland site |
| On scene | Music stopped; attendees moved on; no arrests |
Officers reported the closure was achieved without incident and that no arrests were required. The force said it is now liaising with partner agencies to identify ways of preventing similar gatherings in future.
Local impact and guidance
Illegal raves can cause significant disturbance for residents living nearby, including noise late at night, litter and potential safety risks. Police presence and swift action aim to reduce those immediate problems, but long-term prevention often requires co-ordination between local authorities, landowners and the police.
If you witness or are affected by an unauthorised event in the county, Nottinghamshire Police advise reporting it as soon as possible. For non-emergencies, contact the force via its usual non-emergency channels or report anti-social behaviour to the local council so it can help with environmental and public-safety follow-up.
- Location: Woodland near West Drayton, Bassetlaw
- Time: Report received shortly before 2.15am on 26 July
- Outcome: Event shut down; attendees moved on; no arrests
This disruption is the latest in a string of policing efforts to tackle unauthorised gatherings in rural parts of Nottinghamshire. Residents concerned about public-safety or nuisance incidents should keep a record of times and, where safe, take photographs to help partners investigate and deter repeat incidents.
