'Illegal rave' leaves field trashed (From Times Series)

'Illegal rave' leaves Scratchwood Open Space trashed

3:40pm Monday 3rd September 2012 in News By Emma Innes

An "illegal rave" trashed a Mill Hill field and left council workers to clear 50 bags of rubbish.

Litter was left strewn across Scratchwood Open Space after the unauthorised party during the bank holiday weekend.

Barnet Council workmen were presented with the mess when they carried out routine litter clearance in the park on Thursday.

Neighbours to the open space reported hearing loud music and seeing people camping, lighting fires and having barbecues.

One woman told the Times Series an illegal rave took place in the field.

A council spokesman said: “Unfortunately we are unable to take any action over the litter as it did not provide any traceable evidence of those responsible.

“The council was notified of a complaint made to the police by a local resident who believed there were a large number of people in the Scratchwood area lighting fires and making loud noise.

“The council’s out-of-hours noise and nuisance team visited the area but no noise was found to be coming from the site on arrival.

“This was later confirmed by the complainant.

“The team also revisited the site in the early hours, but again no noise was heard.”