A police car was rammed and “hundreds” of revellers were stopped in their tracks as police stepped in to prevent an illegal rave in Cornwall over the Easter weekend.

Vans carrying music equipment were also seized as part of the operation, which took place late on Easter Saturday.

It followed reports of “convoys” of vehicles in the north and east Cornwall areas, all heading to a location in the Davidstow area.

Devon and Cornwall Police said officers disrupted an unlicensed music event to “prevent the situation from escalating.”

They added that such events were “disruptive” on local communities.

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A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said on Sunday: “Officers disrupted and prevented a large unlicensed music event in the Davidstow area last night [March 30] following information about the event.

“Shortly before midnight we received reports of cars beginning to gather in Davidstow with convoys of hundreds of vehicles around the North and East Cornwall areas.

“Officers blocked the surrounding roads to prevent anyone else gaining access and they seized vans carrying music equipment.

“They also stopped and turned away vehicles that were heading to join the event. One officer had his car rammed by a vehicle trying to force access to the site.”

Local Policing Superintendent Rob Youngman said: “We know firsthand the impact that these types of events have on local communities and how disruptive they can be.

“Last night [Saturday] we acted quickly on information that was coming into us and deployed a range of resources across the area in order to stop this event from taking place here.

“I’m grateful to those who reported the information to us and to the officers who acted quickly and robustly to prevent the situation from escalating.”