A ‘suspected illegal rave’ took place in a woodland near Camelford last week. 

Police were called to reports of a large number of cars turning off the A395 carriageway towards Wilsey Woods just before midnight on Boxing Day (December 26). 

Officers were provided with more information about a ‘suspected illegal rave’ taking place. 

A road closure on the A395 was put in place and officers remained within the area to prevent others from entering. 

On December 27, it was made clear by Devon and Cornwall Police that the music had stopped and the stages and equipment were dismantled and removed by organisers – at the time there was still a small number of people in the area.

 Officers remained at the scene to ensure everyone leaving did so safely and that those planning to drive were not under the influence of drink or drugs.

Since then, Cllr Barry Jordan, Cornwall councillor for the Camelford and Boscastle division, has reflected on the event and the action taken by police officers.  

Cllr Jordan said: “The first I knew about it was when I got an update via Facebook, I initially went to Davidstow as I thought they had broken through the barriers put up last year, however as it transpires it was the Wilsey Woods that they invaded this year. I am delighted to say that the police intel was good and they broke it up very quickly and stopped a lot of others getting through.

“The perpetrators must have broken a gate as all entrances are blocked except for walkers. I pass all roads around Wilsey Woods on a regular basis, now more will have to be done to stop them from getting into the woods.

 “It is not just reckless and dangerous, but blights the lives of the local people and the animals in the area.” 

Officers have said that they talked and engaged with the organisers at the event. 

A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesperson added: “They stopped the music when agreed, and due to the weather, a lot of people were leaving of their own accord, so there were no issues.” 

Devon & Cornwall Police had previously been working with both partners and local residents to make potential locations in the counties unattractive to organisers of raves (also called unlicensed music events or UMEs) like the one seen previously at Davidstow — known locally as ‘Ravidstow’. 

Following the event at Wilsey Woods on, a Devon and Corwall Police spokesperson said: “Illegal raves can be a nuisance to local communities with loud music playing, roads being blocked and littering in the area. They are also a danger to those who attend as they are held in remote locations which aren’t suitable and with no appropriate medical provisions on site, which, when combined with alcohol and illegal substances, increases the risk of harm to attendees. “Police will attend reports of suspected illegal raves, engage with the organisers and put proportionate measures in place to bring the event to a safe conclusion. We would ask the public to report any information about suspected events being planned or taking place at the earliest opportunity so that we can minimise the disruption to communities and ensure public safety.”