POLICE have appealed for anyone with information about planned illegal gatherings or raves to pass on information.

West Mercia Police says it has already intervened in four illegal rave gatherings at locations in Herefordshire and north Shropshire this year and provided information about another 12 events to forces elsewhere in the country.

A force spokesman said: "Illegal raves and gatherings can cause misery and disruption to local residents and if not properly organised, can present a danger to those attending.

"Landowners are sometimes approached by organisers for permission to use their fields but should be aware of the consequences of allowing illegal events to take place.

"We would ask responsible landowners who decline these approaches to call us."

Police will make enquiries to establish both the identity of landowners and the organisers of any illegal events and a criminal investigation will be conducted into any offences reported or which come to light, he warned.

"Any landowner considering allowing an event to take place on their land may see this as an easy way to earn some money, but it could turn into a protracted and costly exercise for them at the end of the day," the spokesman added.

He said emergency services, health and local authorities have expressed concerns over illegal events or raves, including how they jeopardise access for emergency vehicles, public safety, health and welfare of people attending and poor levels of sanitation.

The news comes 14 years after thousands of people descended on Castlemorton, near Malvern, for an illegal rave. The chaos that event caused prompted a change in the law.

Anyone with information about illegal raves planned this summer can call police on 08457 444888 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.