POLICE shut down an "unauthorised" rave in an East Dorset village on Saturday.

The force received reports of the event in Three Legged Cross from members of the public during the afternoon and officers attended, along with the NPAS police helicopter, and seized amplification equipment.

Residents said the party, held on land near Lower Common Lane, could be heard several streets away and continued past midnight.

Superintendent Mark Callaghan of Dorset Police said: "Local residents were understandably concerned that this unauthorised and unlicensed event might cause ongoing disruption throughout the night and into the early hours of the morning.

"In the interests of safety for members of the public, including those in attendance and nearby road users, officers have acted by removing the amplification equipment.

"Anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated."

The police acted on section 63 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act, which grants "powers to remove persons attending or preparing for a rave" where 20 or more people gather on land in the open air and amplified music is played during the night.

Dorset Police had yesterday not confirmed how many people were attending the event and in a statement said it would not disclose any further information "in the interests of public safety".

Jane Russell, who represents Three Legged Cross on Verwood Town Council, said: "There certainly was a rave on the Lower Common, it was quite noisy and went on all night.

"It affected houses up to Verwood Road and was certainly still going at midnight."

Cllr Russell said she had been contacted by a resident who had seen the event being set up and wanted to inform the police.

"I think he had just seen them setting up, I don't think they give much advance notice, that's not the way these events work," she said.

"I don't think it is acceptable to cause a disturbance to other people in this way.

"I'm not saying that there should never be an event like this, but it is a sensitive choice where they are held."

She said she had tried unsuccessfully to contact the East Dorset District Council environmental health team on the day, and would follow up with them on Monday as "they really need to be there on the day".