POLICE stopped an illegal rave while it was being set up last night.

Officers supported by a drone unit responded to reports of a rave taking place in Pewsey Vale around 10pm and found 20 to 30 people gathering near a sound system, bar and portable toilets.

More people arrived as the officers seized the sound equipment under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act and made everyone disperse.

Supt Gavin Williams said: “I hope this matter serves as a reminder to all that we will act on intelligence passed to us.

“Illegal raves such as this have a really damaging impact on our rural communities and we will use proportionate action to ensure they are stopped as early as possible.

“It is also worth reminding everyone that, under the current government guidelines, we should all be maintaining social distancing at this time.

“Finally, I would urge our communities to continue sharing information about incidents such as this so we are able to intervene at the earliest opportunity.”

Report crimes and intelligence to the police at wiltshire.police.uk