A TOTAL of 150 people attended an illegal rave in Smithills last week before police turned up to disperse the crowd and sieze their sound system.

The illegal gathering took place in the woods behind Smithills Hall in a spot that was “difficult to get to”, according to a local councillor.

Cllr Roger Hayes said litter pickers who came to clear the site at the weekend found many metal cylinders spread around the land behind the historic hall.

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham revealed that police disrupted the event on Friday evening – one of several large gatherings last week.

He said: “Greater Manchester Police (GMP) disrupted a number of events, particularly one on Friday evening in Bolton in Smithills Park – 150 people.

“The event was disrupted and dispersed, a sound system was seized.

“We continue to work very hard with GMP, improving the intelligence gathering.

“What I would ask people is that if anyone hears about one of these events, if they would let us know via 101.

“It’s something that we would discourage anyone from even considering.

“To attend one of these events is to put yourself at considerable risk. There’s no security, there’s no proper organisation. Of course, there’s the risk of spreading the virus. We ask you to bear all of those things in mind.

“We say to parents, please do not turn a blind eye or worse, drop your son or daughter off at one of these events for all the reasons I’ve just given about the dangers that they pose.

“We’re going to continue to work very closely with our 10 districts so the message goes out to anyone who is organising these things that we are working hard.

“We will disrupt these events and I am grateful actually to colleagues in Greater Manchester Police who have really worked hard to disrupt these events where they possibly can. And as you’ve seen today, they’re having some success in achieving that.”

Smithills councillor Roger Hayes added:  “I would urge people to act responsibly, making sure they do little to spread the virus and also making sure they don’t damage the countryside or disturb neighbours.”