COUNCIL officials and police joined forces to prevent a rave taking place on land in a Kent village, it has been revealed.

Police had received reports last weekend that the event was planned at Mersham, near Ashford, and conducted house-to-house enquiries to ascertain the scale of concern among residents.

Following further investigations Ashford Borough Council officials were sufficiently concerned about the potential nuisance to local people to issue a noise abatement notice to the organiser of the event on Friday.

On Saturday the community was still worried that arrangements for the event were going ahead, and were concerned that it would be on a similar scale to one held in June, which was very noisy and disruptive.

The owner of the land was advised that many local residents were worried about noise level but he was adamant that the event would go ahead. Shortly afterwards sound equipment was delivered to the site.

“No entertainment licence had been granted for the event, and the police took the decision to turn people away, said Police Inspector Joe Bushnell.

Paul Jackson, head of environmental services at Ashford council, said: “A very detailed investigation took place in conjunction with the police and it was decided this event would cause a significant nuisance and a magistrates' warrant was obtained.

“Together with police officers our officer entered the site and seized the sound equipment. This unlicensed event posed a range significant potential problems from noise nuisance to public safety issues.

"While we do not want to stop people from having fun or enjoying themselves, we will act as appropriate on information or complaints about any event, licensed or unlicensed."

He stressed: “This is an excellent example of the close partnership working that has developed between the council and Kent Police in reacting swiftly to community concerns.”