POLICE are introducing changes in the way they handle any future raves, Wiltshire's Chief Constable Elizabeth Neville has told MP Michael Ancram.

She said lessons had been learned following the 48-hour rave in Savernake Forest in April, which triggered a flood of complaints from residents as far as Axford and Ramsbury.

Many were unhappy that police did not move in to seize the amplification equipment as the law allows or tow away cars illegally parked on the A4.

At the time, police said they acted to avoid confrontation but had asked the revellers to turn down their music.

In a letter to Mr Ancram Miss Neville spoke of 'the unfortunate event at Savernake Forest'.

She added: "However, lessons have been learnt from this and have been incorporated into our policy."

The chief constable said police were committed to prevent raves occurring by the pro-active use of intelligence.

"On receipt of a report of a rave we will ensure that resources are dispatched in order to attempt to prevent the event getting larger and, where possible, disrupt it through use of our powers under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994," she said.

"This will include attempts, when safe to do so, of seizures of sound equipment and/or generators."

Mr Ancram said: "It is reassuring that the Wiltshire police have clearly studied what went wrong in May in Savernake."