Arrest made after 150 people attend rave at quarry

A man was arrested after police received a "significant number" of reports of a rave at a Derbyshire quarry.

Officers were called to Halldale Quarry in Matlock just before 23:40 GMT on Saturday.

Derbyshire Police said an estimated 150 people were in attendance when they attended the site at 02:00 on Sunday but "could not ensure the safety of removing those who were at the quarry".

After returning to the site at 12:50 GMT on Sunday, the force carried out stop checks on several vehicles and arrested a 26 year-old man on suspicion of drug driving, who has since been released as investigations continue.

A 30-year-old man has been reported for summons after being found to be in possession of a number of suspected drugs, said police.

After the force "ensured that all those in attendance left the site safely", Det Supt Sarah McAughtrie said: “I appreciate the disruption and distress this event caused to the local community and I am grateful to all those who contacted us about it.

"I can also appreciate the frustration regarding how long the event was allowed to continue.

"However, as the senior officer in charge of the force over the weekend I have to balance the safety of officers, and those who are in attendance.

"To have large numbers of people, who may be drunk or have taken drugs, moving around in the dark presents significant risks to them - as well as the police officers on site.

"As a county we have seen a drop off in the number of these types of events and we rely on local people reporting when potential raves are being set up, so that we can ensure that officers are able to stop them before they begin."

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