Dan Rogerson MP for North Cornwall

Following the illegal weekend-long rave at Davidstow Common near Camelford last weekend, Dan Rogerson, MP for North Cornwall, who visited the site today, has praised the swift and decisive action by police officers, Neighbourhood Watch and people in the community.

The rave is alleged to have been organised by two men, one from Hertfordshire, and is said to have attracted about 2000 people before the police were called in.

Eight people were arrested at the time, charged with offences such as possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply and drink driving.

After visiting the site today to inspect the damage, Dan Rogerson praised the action taken by police and local people, saying:

"Illegal raves have in the past been a problem in the Davidstow area. I hope that the swift and efficient action taken by the police in this instance will go a long way to discouraging future illegal raves such as this, which can be a danger to the livestock which graze the common."

"Unfortunately, environmental initiative which were underway at Davidstow have been set back, perhaps by several years and further discussion are needed as to how access to this part of the common can be prevented."

"It is a shame that intelligence which suggested that this rave was to take place was not passed on to Devon and Cornwall police at a much earlier stage. If intelligence can be gathered effectively, then incidents like this could be more effectively handled in the future."

Note to editors:

Dan Rogerson visited the common today and met with representative of the forestry commission and local landowners who showed him the extent of the damage and explained how environmental schemes have been set back.