ILLEGAL raves will not be tolerated in Essex this Bank Holiday weekend, police have warned.Essex Police are determined to avoid a repeat of a rave in the county last summer which left more than 60 officers with injuries after it turned to violence.

ILLEGAL raves will not be tolerated in Essex this Bank Holiday weekend, police have warned.

Essex Police are determined to avoid a repeat of a rave in the county last summer which left more than 60 officers with injuries after it turned to violence.

The event at Great Chesterford last August was attended by more than 600 revellers but disintegrated into chaos as officers were attacked with broken bottles and scaffolding.

Now Essex Police are to join forces with their colleagues in Suffolk and Norfolk in a bid to “deter, prevent and disrupt” illegal raves across the region.

They are warning anyone planning such events will be dealt with “robustly”, with the possibility of arrest, seizure of equipment and the risk of a criminal conviction.

Earlier this week pictures of 12 men wanted in connection with the Great Chesterford event from August 25 last year were released following a year-long investigation.

After the pictures were shown on Crimewatch UK, two of the suspects came forward to say they were the people in the images.

An Essex Police spokesman said officers had received a number of calls following the appeal and would be following them up as part of the on-going investigation.

Last night Superintendent Jed Stopher of Essex Police said: “Our priority is the safety of the public. Illegal raves can put the lives of revellers and others at risk.

“We will seize every opportunity to prevent such events taking place and organisers should be aware that we will deal swiftly with those trying to break the law and put lives and property at risk.

“Our message is clear: Your property may be seized, you will be liable to arrest and we will do all we can to ensure a successful prosecution.”

Officers have also appealed to the public to be vigilant in the coming days and to contact them immediately if they see any activity that could potentially be linked to an illegal rave.

And landowners are also being reminded to take extra care that entrances to their property are secured and to report immediately any trespassers onto their property who may be people intent on holding a rave.

A police spokesman said: “Illegal raves cause a great deal of distress to local residents, whose lives are blighted by long periods of loud music.

“Often, the organisers have not made the necessary arrangements to ensure the health, safety and security of attendees and there are no measures in place to deal with risks such as fires.”

Anyone who has information about an illegal rave should contact their local police force or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

In Essex, the contact number is 01245 491491. For Suffolk, people should call 01473 613500, and in Norfolk telephone 0845 4564567.