Has there been another illegal party near Harborough? OAP finds more than 100 nitrous oxide canisters on the edge of town

A shocked couple fear another huge rave has gone ahead after they found over 100 nitrous oxide canisters on the northern edge of Market Harborough.

Frank Bingley, 72, and his wife were stunned to come across the dump of filthy used ‘hippy crack’ debris in pretty countryside near Market Harborough Showground on Gallow Tree Road.

The incident comes after up to 200 young people attended a rave off Brampton Valley Way, Market Harborough, on the night of Monday August 10.

Frank, a keen member of Market Harborough Environment Group, told the Harborough Mail: “We were really shocked to run into this massive amount of nitrous oxide rubbish as we drove along.

“This substance could be very dangerous for anyone using it.

“And it does make me think that a big illegal rave or party has been held up there over the last few days on the outskirts of Market Harborough.”

The committed eco-campaigner said they immediately leapt into action after spotting the “disgusting blot on the landscape” on Saturday morning.

“We were coming back from Gumley when we noticed this stuff on the road.

“There were two big piles of nitrous oxide canisters in a lay-by and there were even more scattered about.

“There were well over 100 of these so-called hippy crack bottles just dumped there altogether,” said Frank, of Sherrard Road, Market Harborough.

“There was also an empty box that could have been a catering box, balloons and devices to open and control the flow of gas.

“We also found aluminium cans, empty beer cans and plastic bottles.

“It certainly looked like there had been a big gathering, such as a rave.

“We went back and cleaned it all up – which was a dirty job and took us some time.

“I’ve managed to get 90 per cent of this material recycled.

“A lot of it has been collected from me by a point in Countesthorpe with the aluminium helping to make new helipads.”

Nitrous oxide can be used legitimately – for example, during medical procedures, in catering aerosol cans and in engines.

But it is strictly illegal to sell or import the drug for human consumption.

‘Hippy crack’ often causes dizziness and can seriously affect the user’s judgement, creating a risk of accidents and even triggering collapse.

“I do worry very much about the effect nitrous oxide is having on young people.

“Every action has a reaction and this gas could be very bad for their health,” insisted Frank.

“Using nitrous oxide should be made totally illegal in my opinion.

“I also hate to see rubbish and litter anywhere – it’s sickening.

“This sort of blight on the landscape also poses a serious threat to wildlife and has to be stamped out.

“Just a few days ago we filled four plastic bags with empty beer cans scattered on the banks of the River Welland by a new development on Farndon Fields.

“It’s disgusting and totally unacceptable,” said the retired milkman, a dad-of-two and grandad-of-two.

The suspected rave and nitrous oxide canister dump have been slammed by Cllr Phil King, the leader of Harborough District Council.

Fuming Phil told the Mail: “This is a great concern to me.

“We had a mass rave held off Brampton Valley Way in Market Harborough just a few weeks ago and now this happens.

“The police now have the powers to fine the people behind these raves £10,000.

“So if you hear about one of these illegal events being set up please tip off the police urgently so that they can act straight away.”

The Conservative council chief said that with nightclubs still shut amid the Covid-19 pandemic crooks were “exploiting young people’s boredom” at mass illegal get-togethers.

“I would again call on parents and carers to stop their children going to these raves because they are not good on any level.

“Using nitrous oxide causes a danger to you and to others,” stressed Phil.

“ If you are using machinery or driving after using this gas you could kill someone.

“So if you know that a rave is being planned anywhere in Harborough then tell the police immediately.”