As Welshpool hosts its annual Country & Western Festival, police are carrying out extra patrols this weekend to prevent a potential illegal rave.
Dyfed-Powys Police has not given specific information as to why they think it could be this weekend, but they fear a big illegal gathering is imminent.
Sergeant Owen Dillon said: “There is little doubt that these type of events are very well planned, organised and that local knowledge is important in drawing down the main group to a particular field, or area of land which has been targeted previously as a suitable venue.
“Farmers, landowners and local communities are encouraged to report any suspicious activity immediately to the police; this may be an unusual number of vehicles, especially camper vans, vans or trucks in the locality, illegal trespassers who may be scoping out sites in advance of the event.
“I can assure local communities that police will take the appropriate action to deter illegal gatherings and deal robustly with any criminal offences discovered or disclosed.”
Members of the public are also urged to be vigilant of persons who approach landowners or enquiring for land, in the guise of hiring for apparently acceptable activities such as gymkhanas and scouts/guides events.
Please contact police on 101 with reports on any suspicious activity.