Trespassers using disused quarry site in Wirksworth to hold 'raves'

A team of people have been brought together to address residents’ concerns and highlight the very real danger of trespassing at Middle Peak Quarry in Wirksworth, which has been used ‘for a rave’.
By The Newsroom
Published 15th Jun 2020, 15:47 BST
Updated 17th Jun 2020, 10:19 BST
Sarah Dines MP visited the quarry with the police, site managers and the fire and rescue serviceSarah Dines MP visited the quarry with the police, site managers and the fire and rescue service
Sarah Dines MP visited the quarry with the police, site managers and the fire and rescue service

Derbyshire Dales MP Sarah Dines has brought together the police, Middle Peak Quarry owner Tarmac, the onsite security team and Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service to tackle the issue.

On her first visit to the site, she brought along Chief Superintendent Hayley Barnett, the divisional police commander, and they met with on-site security. Sarah Dines saw for herself hundreds of trespassers on the site, under the influence of alcohol, jumping from the heights of the quarry rocks.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

She said: “I would describe my first visit to Middle Peak Quarry in Wirksworth as a rave.

“There were hundreds of people acting recklessly with no thought for their own safety or the feelings of the local community.

“I had brought along with me the Chief Superintendent Divisional Commander and together we did all we could to clear the site and follow-up with local residents afterwards who are so horrifically impacted by this’

“Following my first visit, I was so horrified about what I witnessed, concerned for local residents, and for safety, that I took immediate follow-up action.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

During another visit, Sarah Dines took along officers from Derbyshire Fire and Rescue service to explain some of the dangers to the trespassers.

She added: “Officers of the fire service, who discussed fire service water rescue, told the gathered parties that it is simply not possible to conduct a water rescue at the site. The water is over 10m deep, colder than a river or sea, and poses a number of life-threatening risks including heart attack on entering the water and drowning. The areas on site are not safe for trespassers. This is a disused quarry, with on-site security, a new K-9 dog security unit, has been dyed black, and is fenced off for a reason.”

All the involved parties are now putting together an action plan to tackle the anti-social behaviour and try and stop anyone getting hurt.

Sarah Dines said: “This is unacceptable and I’m really worried, as I know residents are, that there will be a serious incident here if people choose to act so dangerously.”