AN ILLEGAL rave which was shut down by police after a night of noise disruption for nearby residents could result in the event’s organisers being prosecuted.

The unlicensed event, which was held in woodland in Langsett, began last Saturday night and saw an estimated 100 people attend before police closed the site at 9am the following morning.

The noise kept residents of Langsett, Millhouse Green, Thurlstone and Penistone awake through the night and into Sunday morning, according to Coun Hannah Kitching.

She said: “I have spoken with the licensing team at Barnsley Council and their officer has confirmed that this was an entirely illegal rave.

“No licence was ever applied for by the organisers, let alone granted.

“The event was held on private land, owned by Yorkshire Water, again illegally as they had not been given permission for it to go ahead.

“The event was eventually brought to an end by the police who turned off the equipment and dispersed the remaining crowd.

“The licensing team are now working with the police to conduct an investigation into this event. Appropriate enforcement action will be taken, including potential prosecution. It was both illegal and incredibly disruptive to local residents but that doesn’t mean that I, or the council, do not want anyone to have any fun.

“If anyone is looking to organise an event like this the licensing team are there to help.

“They will always work with event organisers to ensure events are carried out in a way that minimises disturbance and keeps everyone happy, safe and on the right side of the law.

“You can have a good night without keeping four villages awake, I’m sure.”

South Yorkshire Police and Barnsley Council, who issued a joint statement following the incident, said enquiries remain ongoing and asked anyone with information to come forward.

“Enquiries are ongoing after police officers were called to an all-night music event in Barnsley,” the statement said. “We received multiple complaints about noise coming from an event off Old Manchester Road near to Flouch roundabout.

“Police officers arrived at the scene where it was estimated that about 100 people were in attendance.

“Due to the large-scale resources required to shut down an event of this size, a decision was made to request the organisers to lower the volume.

“Following unsuccessful attempts, the event was later stopped at 9am on Sunday.

“Both ourselves and the land owners were unaware that the all-night music event in Barnsley was due to take place. There was no licence granted for this event.

“Working together with local residents and land owners we aim to identify the individuals involved in the organisation to ensure communities are not affected again.

“We will also be investigating offences committed with a view to prosecuting identified offenders where appropriate.

“Anyone with information about either event is asked to contact 101, quoting incident number 20 of March 24.”