Councillor hits out at 'irresponsible rave' at Bickershaw Country Park

Police say they are investigating after reports of the rave at Bickershaw Country Park on Saturday night.

Officers say the site was left in "a disgusting state" after hundreds are believed to have attended the area.

Mess left behind included laughing gas canisters, bottles, music speakers, a generator, drugs, alcohol and food.

Also "a quantity of human waste" was left in the area and "used sanitary products".

Leigh West ward councillor Dane Anderton said: "The location of this this on the ‘rucks’ which is a hard to get to place by vehicle but not too far by foot. Access from Heath Lane and Plank Lane have been used. There is also mumblings from those confronted by residents that this will happen again next week as the location is ideal and no one challenges them.

"For me this was an irresponsible act that not only has the potential to cause physical harm, epically from COVID-19, but also environmental harm with the large volume of plastics, glass and personal hygiene items left behind."

The Labour councillor added: "This shows a complete disregard to local residents and the wildlife in this area who do their best to keep Leigh clean. I would like to thank all those who joined with me in the clean up on Sunday afternoon. I would ask anyone not attend any unauthorised events in this area."

In a statement on the GMP Leigh, Atherton and Hindley page, police said: "Neighbourhood officers from Abram and Leigh have been made aware of a rave that occurred on Bickershaw Country Park last night.

"The site has been left in a disgusting state with thousands of empty canisters, bottles, bags and other litter that volunteers have had to recover and remove. To add to this unpleasantness they have also discovered a quantity of human waste and used sanitary products.

"The scale of the aftermath is quite extensive and reports confirm this was attended by a very large group of people. There is a pandemic on! Enquiries ongoing."