POLICE in Dursley have been criticised after an alleged rave described as "anti-social" and "unacceptable" kept residents awake throughout Saturday night and into Sunday morning.

The event, which took place in the woods above Dursley, has caused one of the town's Stroud district councillors to question whether the police have adequate powers.

Cllr Hilary Fowles (Lab, Dursley) spoke out after what was believed to be a travellers' birthday party in Nunnery Woods, near Woodmancote, was allowed to go on until well into Sunday morning.

The noise disturbed the sleep of many residents in Dursley and even some as far away as Cam.

However, police said they could not end the party during the night because it was too dark to assess the situation, they did not have enough officers to do so and they were being pelted with missiles.

But Cllr Fowles insisted that those responsible should not be allowed to get away with it.

She said: "This is not just a lack of consideration for local people. It is a criminal offence.

"The police were worried about safety. I can understand that extra police were needed but the party carried on until the morning so there was plenty of time to do something.

"I do feel that action needs to be taken. People should not have to put up with being kept awake by this anti-social behaviour. It is quite unacceptable."

Following the incident police explained the darkness and remoteness of the location had prevented them from being able to stop the party immediately.

Insp Paul Donovan said: "We did a risk assessment and decided that it would have been too dangerous to try to shut the party down during the night.

"It was taking place in a heavily wooded area, several hundred yards down a remote track.

"We estimated that there were around 100-150 people there and some threw objects at officers as they got nearer.

"More officers attended in the morning to close it down before 10am and our inquiries are ongoing."

However, one Dursley resident, who was woken up at 4am, said that the police reasons were not good enough.

He said: "The ravers must have had power up theres so why can't the police have lights to see what they are doing?

"They should be closing them down. It has been going on at this time of year for five years now. It's always the same."

District council environmental health officer Derek Ind said there was little the authority could do to stop such events going ahead.

He said: "If the police pass on information including names and addresses to , then we can serve enforcement notices.

"But we can't take any action for anyone not having a public entertainment licence if they are running a private party."