THE Government is set to launch a clampdown on raves, the Evening Press can reveal today.

North Yorkshire's Chief Constable Della Cannings may be asked to help shape the legislation.

The news comes after angry protests from residents at Acaster Malbis, near York, about a "party" held in nearby ancient woodland earlier this month.

Villagers complained that they were woken by the racket and that police did nothing to halt the event, while landowner Roger Raimes protested about the impact on Stub Wood and called for a change in legislation to outlaw such raves.

It emerged that existing legislation only applies to gatherings of more than 100 people, while only about 50 people attended the event earlier this month.

Party organisers subsequently apologised for the noise, but denied violating the woodland and dismissed claims that drugs were taken.

Residents living near Allerthorpe Common, near Pocklington, have told how they too were disturbed by a rave last year and feared another gathering in coming weeks.

After hearing about the problems at Acaster, Selby MP John Grogan lodged a Parliamentary Question asking what progress had been made since discussions about raves were held last year between the Home Office and the Association of Chief Police Officers.

He said today he had received a reply from Home Office Minister Bob Ainsworth, revealing that the Government would bring forward legislative changes to deal with such problems "when Parliamentary time allows".

Now Mr Grogan is writing to the Chief Constable to request a meeting with himself and community leaders from the Acaster Malbis area, including Mr Raimes, to discuss the issues.

He said he would ask the Chief Constable, or someone nominated by her, if they felt existing police powers needed strengthening, and how.

One possible loophole which might need to be addressed was the way it only applied to gatherings of more than 100 people, when gatherings of fewer than that could still generate as much noise.

Mr Raimes welcomed the news, but said it still left open the question about what would be done if ravers tried again to enter his land, or someone else's, this summer. "Legislation can taken a long time to be introduced," he said.

He intended raising such immediate problems as well as what legislative changes were needed at the meeting with police.

Updated: 10:39 Thursday, May 22, 2003