POLICE have warned farmers in rural border communities to be aware of illegal raves and gatherings taking place on their land over the summer months.

Dyfed-Powys Police are warning that 'vulnerable' fields or areas of land can be targeted for illegal events and that social media is being used to spread the word of these leading to numbers attending quickly growing.

They are also warning land owners to 'be vigilant' to enquiries for land, in the guise of hiring for seemingly acceptable activities such as fetes.

Police say that illegal events can cause local disruption with people travelling from far afield to attend and that they are unlicensed without the usual health and safety arrangements which exist to protect large gatherings.

Chief Superintendent Aled Davies said that gatherings- such as illegal raves- can cause considerable anxiety to the community and if they are not dealt with swiftly, they are difficult to stop or otherwise control, due often to the sheer numbers of people involved and the safety aspects surrounding breaking up such an event.

He said: “There is little doubt that these type of events are very well planned, organised and that local knowledge is important in drawing down the main group to a particular ‘vulnerable’ field, or area of land which has been targeted previously as a suitable venue.

"Farmers, landowners and local communities are encouraged to report any suspicious activity immediately to the Police; this may be an unusual numbers of vehicles, especially camper vans, vans or trucks in the locality, illegal trespassers who may be doing a ‘recce’ of sites in advance of the event.

“I can assure local communities that police will take the appropriate action to work with our partners to deter illegal gatherings and deal robustly with any criminal offences discovered or disclosed.”

Please contact Police on 101 with reports of any suspicious activity.