AROUND 50 police officers broke up an illegal rave today at Brundish, near Framlingham, during which a young man overdosed on drugs.

AROUND 50 police officers broke up an illegal rave today at Brundish, near Framlingham, during which a young man overdosed on drugs.

Officers were called at around 1am to reports that approximately 200 people were attending an illegal gathering on farmland at Downs Farm.

Police attended the site and found around 60 vehicles with sound equipment and lights.

Specialist teams of officers were brought in from Suffolk and Norfolk Police.

Officers seized sound equipment and the rave was shut down by around 8am today.

A spokesman for the East of England Ambulance Service said paramedics were despatched to the site around the same time to attend to a 20-year-old man who had overdosed on drugs.

The man was taken to Ipswich Hospital for further treatment.

Following the raid at Brundish, Superintendent Alan Caton sent out a warning to people looking to hold an illegal rave.

He said: "I want to warn anyone who is considering organising a rave, that they will face prosecution for holding such an event. We will also seek to prosecute anyone attending a rave who commits other offences, such as damage.

"I would also like to take the opportunity to appeal for the public's help to tackle this issue. Early information from the public is critical if we are to prevent a rave from taking place.

“If we get reliable and timely information about where and when an event is being set up, generally we can get to the site, identify the organisers and seize sound and other equipment before the rave begins.

"There are some cases where a rave is up and running with large crowds already present. In these instances it may be necessary to manage the event where it is, monitoring it closely to ensure, as far as possible, the safety of those attending.

“Vehicles trying to get on or off site will be stopped and dealt with for any offences they might be committing. Where possible the organisers will be identified and dealt with at the end of the event, which will be closed as soon as it is safe to do so."

Any suspicious activity which may be connected to an illegal rave should be reported to police immediately, dialling 999 if necessary or 01473 613500.