Following community reports of a possible organised rave on Formby beach yesterday evening, we implemented a proactive operation to stop it taking place. The attached photo shows the equipment seized. Anyone attending Sefton with equipment to be used for a rave will have it taken from them and may be prosecuted. Likewise, individuals seeking to attend such events will be stopped and dealt with for any offences they are committing.

You may have seen elsewhere on social media a video of some young men happily taking a large speaker to the beach. They no longer have that speaker. We do.

In total, a generator, DJ mixing deck and 20 speakers were seized as well as 5 individuals arrested and 15 dispersal notices issued. We are also aware of the disruption caused by large number of people attending Formby in their vehicle and parking illegally and as a result, 60 parking tickets were issued by Police.

There was an article in the Mail today (yes, I know, not exactly the most impartial news source) claiming that the illegal raves taking place "across the North West" but seemingly particularly around Manchester, were organised and funded by drug dealers in order to create a market for their wares. I can well believe it. They apparently fund the equipment required to host these raves, it remains to be seen what the consequences are of losing this expensive equipment to the Police. Be careful who your kids get mixed up with and where they go of an evening...