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A poster campaign designed to raise awareness about illegal raves in the Bristol area has backfired on police chiefs after it sparked fury, derision and widespread mockery from ravers all over the world.

The Avon and Somerset police campaign attempted to get across two messages to local residents.

The first told residents that they probably would not be able to close down an illegal rave if one has already started, while the second said they wanted to be able to stop the raves before they even started, so gave advice on how to spot the early signs one is about to happen.

But that message was lampooned right across social media, as the posters went viral on Facebook, attracted thousands of shares and comments criticising or joking about the police approach.

Many slammed the police for being "party-poopers", others claimed raves and parties with loud music were only deemed illegal when they didn't pay the council for a licence to stage an event, while more criticised the police for talking about illegal raves and "young people" like "it was the 1980s".

The posters, which quoted Supt Mike Prior, come after a summer of illegal raves right across the Avon and Somerset force area, with rising complaints by local residents that loud music is allowed to continue all night.

The opening gambit of the poster attracted much derision. It read: "Picture the scene...it's bank holiday weekend, the weather has been beautiful, the night is warm, windows are open but you can't sleep over the thudding bass from an illegal rave. It's very frustrating.

"We understand these events can be extremely disruptive for local communities. In addition to the lack of sleep for nearby residents, they can result in damage to local businesses, commercial units, the countryside and farmland. They can also be dangerous to both those who attend and the general public," the poster added.

Becca Gulliver said: "Whoever wrote that caption should probably consider a job in event promo," while Andrew Gurnsey added: "Picture the scene... You have literally sold it to me. You should do party lines."

Jessica Pitman said: "Itching to find where that bass is coming from... I'll ask the 20 cars following me up a country lane now."

'Total jokes'

Others questioned why police were targeting parties that weren't licensed. "At first I thought this flyer was a joke," said Daniel Watts. "But it's not! Very extensive list of the signs of a rave happening?...I think it's pretty obvious to be honest. I don't see much difference between what's deemed to be an illegal rave and the festival that happens in Eastville Park," he added.

The post on the police's own Facebook page attracted thousands of comments, with some people even re-writing the police's own advice.

Teresa Hares said seagulls were a bigger problem than raves

"Know the signs," parodied Ned Roberts. "Sudden influx of happy, polite people in your village, buying all of the beer from the shop, total strangers hugging and being lovely to each other, gales of laughter, bored local youth excited for the first time in months, local dogging spot having never looked tidier."

Others slammed the police for prioritising illegal raves in the first place. "Total jokes," Benjamin Weston told police. "We want to celebrate living and sharing friendship and bond through respect. You would rather extend your arm of control and force us to know that we are definitely not free.

"Again good on you guys for wasting valuable time and money on harassing and assaulting a group of people who want to live differently than your lords, your controllers. Just puppets on a string," he added.

Chris Shutts was among hundreds of people mocking the police

Aaron Hall also questioned police priorities. "It ain't 1988 and you can't stop people dancing," he said. "Go catch some real criminals."

And Ashley MacLaughlin was also among thousands not happy. "People should start falsely reporting rave activity in their area to waste your time," he said. "You clearly don't have any real crime to deal with."

One of the key points of advice from the police to local residents was to look out for 'lots of chatter on social media' about a particular location. "There's lots of chatter on social media about raves now," said Christian Bodden. "Specifically on Avon and Somerset Police's page. Maybe they're organising one…"

After more than a thousand comments, and thousands more replies, Tanya Gibson said the message to the police was 'clear'. "Really hope Avon and Somerset police have read all these comments and can see how a huge part of the British population feel," she said.

Steve Wheadon joined in the fun

"The laws of this land are a joke. Party people are an easy arrest because we are not criminals. Read and learn what we're all about," she added.

And Sam Clothier joked that the post had backfired on the police. "Picture the scene… Avon and Somerset police's social media manager is getting a b******ing on Tuesday morning as their latest post backfired in spectacular fashion," he added.