POLICE broke up an illegal Boxing Day rave which attracted around 1,000 people to Bellever, near Postbridge.

Three sound rigs had been assembled for the rave which was reported to have started in the early hours of Tuesday morning (December 27).

Devon and Cornwall Police said they issued dispersal orders after growing concerned for the welfare of those who attended — given the freezing temperatures overnight.

The police confirmed that there had been no arrests and that the sound systems were removed.

Chief Inspector Richard Hooper-Bennett said: ‘Our concerns were both for the people in attendance and the impact on the local community. It was an exceptionally cold night and a few people could have been worse for wear so we made sure that this dispersal was done calmly and people were only allowed to leave the area when they were fit to do so.

‘I would like to thank the local people of Postbridge for their patience.’

Among the comments on Facebook regarding the rave, one person commented at the time: ‘The police and ambulance service are up there rounding up strays at huge expense, personally I would make them accountable but that’s just me. Temperature is going to drop below freezing with a wind chill factor. Anyone with sense will tell you the moor is the last place you want to be out at night in those conditions and that includes the British Army, who train up there. Deluded, irresponsible and just plain stupid comes to mind.’

Another member of the public wrote: ‘Some people have a worrying sense of fun. An overly large gathering in a potentially dangerous area, especially if they don’t know the area at night or approaches to staying warm in minus moorland conditions.’