ORGANISERS of a family event say they are upset at being accused of trying to hold an “illegal rave”.

Collective Love wanted to hold a music, art, clothes and food event in Weeley on Saturday.

However, it has released a statement saying it has had to cancel the event because police were unable to attend.

Police had earlier put out a statement urging landowners to be vigilant over fears the group were trying to hold an unlicensed event.

A post on Collective Love’s Facebook page said: “We’re quite simply just a group of artists trying to bring together other creatives in the community.

“We’re fully licensed to sell alcohol and can provide details of license holder. Security and first aid was also in place for this event."

It said the event was cancelled “due to the police not being able to get time off work to come and supervise”.

It continued: “We can’t and won’t put all the blame on the law, they are just doing their job.

“This is something we will have to take on the chin, dust ourselves off and move on from.

“It feels extremely unfair to all the great heads involved, who have put in months of hard work to make this event fun, safe, even family-friendly, to brand it an illegal rave when it was clearly supposed to be a daytime event, open to families."

The owners of the car boot field at Weeley and Saxon Lodge kennels next door had both been contacted over holding an event.

The police and Tendring Council said they suspected it was a cover for an illegal rave.

Chief Insp Russ Cole said: “We are extremely worried about the possibility of this group attempting to hold an unlicensed event in the Tendring district.

“We have every reason to believe they may be attempting to target Weeley as a location in particular.

“The number of people attending unlicensed events cannot be controlled.

“They have no licence to sell alcohol, will not have proper security, first aid or safety measures in place and are often targeted by persons who simply want to sell drugs.”

The owner of the Weeley car boot site confirmed he has not given permission for the land to be used.

Mr Cole said: “Unlicensed events such as illegal raves will not be tolerated in our area and organisers will be dealt with robustly.

“I would strongly advise anyone who may have been planning to hold one to think again.”

Mark Cossens, councillor responsible for licensing at Tendring Council, said: “I would strongly urge all landowners such as farmers who have fields or barns to make sure that these are as secure as possible.

“Other sites like village playing fields also need to be vigilant against unlicensed events.

“If approached, ask for proof the organisers hold a licence.”