Environmental health officers from the council will respond to a major event such as a rave if asked to by the police. They can gather evidence on noise levels and help deal with the event under statutory nuisance laws. According to criminal law, a rave is a gathering in the open air where 100 or more people attend to listen to amplified music with or without intermissions at an unsociable time. Raves can last for several days.
The police have powers to prevent raves from starting, and if they have started, to close them down, seize equipment – including vehicles – and prosecute people who do not leave. The police can also ask environmental health officers to use statutory nuisance laws to end the event. They might do this if the event is not taking place outside, and is therefore not categorised as a rave.
For health and safety reasons, environmental health officers usually take action only with the support and supervision of the police.