POLICE stopped a huge rave after scores of youngsters were seen heading to Crompton Moor near Shaw last night.

Officers imposed a dispersal order and turned a number of others away as they arrived.

And large speakers were seized with police now trying to identify and track down the organisers.

Chief Supt Chris Allsop, Territorial Commander for Rochdale, Oldham and Tameside, said: "Last night, officers were made aware of a large gathering of people at Crompton Moor after members of the public alerted us.

"Officers immediately deployed to the area with an authorised Section 35 Dispersal Order and were able to safely disperse around 50 people.

"It is clear from searching the area that event organisers had made arrangements for far more people to attend so I'm pleased we were able to bring this to a close before it escalated.

"Officers are continuing with enquiries today and we're confident that we'll be able to bring retrospective action against the organisers who sought to put so many people at risk.

"This morning, music speakers were recovered that had been hidden in bushes and these are forming part of our enquiries.

"It goes without saying that these illegal gatherings are putting people at risk. Coronavirus is still a threat and we need to continue to work together in line with government legislation to prevent the spread of the virus.

"We are continuing to work alongside our partner agencies across the borough in order to seek further preventive measures to stop these events from taking place, but I would like to thank those members of the public who alerted us quickly to enable swift action."