THE man behind a Facebook group set up following an illegal rave in Rivington claims police cannot stop it happening again.

John Thompson, aged 17, helped revellers to get past a police road block into the event on Saturday night.

More than 400 people attended the open-air rave at Liverpool Castle, close to Rivington Reservoir, near Horwich.

Mr Thompson, of Catherine Street, Horwich, said: “I don’t think they’ll be able to stop it happening again. I’d be happy if another rave was organised and I’d go again.

“It wasn’t dangerous. It was a lot safer than a night out in Bolton. There wasn’t any trouble because everyone was there to have a good time.”

The event, which went on into the early hours of Sunday morning, was broken up by officers after complaints from residents living more than half a mile away.

Yesterday, Lancashire Police said an investigation into the licensing of the event had been launched.

Mr Thompson set up a group on the social networking website Facebook after the event so people could talk about the rave online.

The teenager said there was no trouble on the night but also praised police officers for the way they handled the event.

He added: “The police were good. At about 2am a few officers walked into the rave. They saw there was no trouble so they left us to it.

“There were probably people taking drugs there but I think more were taking legal drugs like high energy tablets.”

Insp Kevin Otter, of Lancashire Police, said it was the first event of its kind in the area that they had been called to deal with.

Police said music was switched off at 7am and the crowds left without too many problems. He added there were some reports of people having their wallets and iPods stolen.

Insp Otter added: “Although this was obviously a very well organised event, it was an illegal gathering and those who attended were trespassing.”

The organiser of the rave contacted The Bolton News anonymously last night.

He said: “They were really, really good. We didn’t expect such a large presence but they handled it well.

“We try to minimise disturbance for residents but sometimes it is unavoidable. Events like this are unique.

“We don’t make any money out of the rave. In fact it costs us a few hundred pounds.

“It is an amazing location for a party — that is what makes it so special.”

steven.thompson@ theboltonnews.co.uk