Police tonight issued a fresh warning against illegal raves.

The warning follows a police operation to shut down an illegal rave in Oxfordshire this weekend.

Police were called to an illegal event set up at Scutchamer Knob, on The Ridgeway, near Wantage, at 2.30am on Sunday.

Officers said about 300 people, 100 cars and a coach were at the site.

Local officers were supported by the Headquarters Operations Department and the force helicopter.

Insp Pete Downing, from Headquarters Operations Department, said: "We investigate and assess all illegal raves in accordance with the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act.

"Police officers gathered intelligence and evidence to pursue prosecutions after the event and eight people were arrested for drugs offences.

"After local officers had monitored the situation, we seized two of the organiser's sound systems at midday on Sunday, which resulted in the event shutting down.

"I would encourage the community to report any unlicensed events early to allow us to disrupt these illegal events before they begin.

"Our intention is to minimise disruption to the local community by stopping loud noise from revellers and preventing large amounts of traffic coming into small villages during the night.

"This in turn will prevent damage to local landowners' property and allow members of the public who wish to use the land for dog walking and other lawful recreational purposes to do so."

Chief Insp Phil Littlechild, Local Police Area Commander, said: "From a local police perspective these events can cause considerable disruption and damage.

"We are concerned about the people attending events like these; as they often involve excessive amounts of alcohol or drugs consumed by large numbers without safety precautions in place and the noise nuisance can be dangerous to both the community as well as those attending.

"I would urge anyone with any information concerning illegal raves over the forth coming weekends and months to contact us via the Police Enquiry Centre on 0845 8 505 505."