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Police have issued a warning to anyone considering having, or attending a rave this weekend.

Devon and Cornwall Police, Rural Affairs, took to Twitter to urge anyone who lives or works on Dartmoor or Exmoor ans suspects a rave or illegal gathering is being set up, to contact the police.

It is not known if the police had received information about planned gatherings, but officers slammed anyone considering attending a rave during the current pandemic, branding them as "more reckless and inconsiderate than usual".

The tweets read: "If you live or work on @dartmoornpa or @ExmoorNP & you suspect a rave/illegal gathering is being/has been set up or there is suspicious activity, contact @DC_Police.

"The info shown here is useful to our control room staff & use @what3words or @OrdnanceSurvey. #StayHomeSaveLives.

"We've never condoned attending raves, but to consider having a rave on @ExmoorNP or @dartmoornpa this Easter weekend is more reckless & inconsiderate than usual!

"We need to work together to tackle COVID-19 and that means not travelling unnecessarily to attend illegal gatherings."

It comes as councils, emergency services and organisations across Devon and Cornwall pleaded with holidaymakers and second home owners to stay away from the region, as the Bank Holiday weekend approached.

Devon and Cornwall Police also stressed that any holidaymaker or second home owner caught travelling to the region for the Easter weekend would be fined and refused entry.

(Image: Penny Cross)

Chief Superintendent Ian Drummond-Smith, the police commander for Cornwall, said people found holidaying in the county face being fined and that officers will be out on two of the main routes into the region to prevent tourists arriving.

It comes after a caravan crashed on the M5 on Wednesday afternoon (April 8) near the Somerset-Devon border which led to criticism to the driver for flouting coronavirus lockdown travel advice from the Government, which says should be for "essential" trips only. Three people were arrested at the scene.

Mr Drummond-Smith said: "Our officers will be patrolling this weekend, firstly on the M5 and A30 in an attempt to prevent visitors from entering the force area, and then locally to enforce the restrictions.

"We will do so in a fair and balanced manner, but travelling down to the West Country is a serious breach of these restrictions and those doing so can expect to receive a fine."

This message was echoed by Assistant Chief Constable Glen Mayhew, the force's Gold Commander, who said officers will be out around the two counties over the next few days with a keen eye to stop anyone who is making a trip to the area from afar.

This includes those wanting to visit their second homes or heading to campsites, caravan parks or other holiday accommodation.

“As we look to the bank holiday weekend, I wish to be clear with our message which is stay at home and do not undertake travel that isn’t essential," he said.

#ComeBackLater Devon and Cornwall is understandably proud of its renowned stunning coastlines, wide open spaces and gallons of fresh air and thrive from the millions of visitors who come to enjoy our part of the world each year. However, the outbreak of coronavirus in the UK has changed our day to day lives while the government is calling for the nation to stop all non essential travel in a bid to stop the spread of the disease that has so tragically claimed lives in the UK. In the South West not only do we have a proportion of elderly people living here, those who are some of the most vulnerable to coronavirus, but we also have NHS trusts that are stretched to capacity without any extra pressure. We want to help saves lives and help bring an end to the outbreak as soon as we possibly can. Therefore we are aiming to spread the message of come back later as far and as wide as possible through a campaign launching today - #comebacklater.

"My officers will continue to be visible in our towns and cities, and we will police the roads.

"We understand that people may have second homes in Devon or Cornwall but we urge you not to travel to them.

"Essential travel does not include visits to second homes, campsites, caravan parks or similar, whether for isolation purposes or holidays. People must remain in their primary residence."