THE net is closing in on five youths suspected of causing a “considerable nuisance and cost” to Great Yarmouth businesses and taxpayers during the rave riots last August.

THE net is closing in on five youths suspected of causing a “considerable nuisance and cost” to Great Yarmouth businesses and taxpayers during the rave riots last August.

Police have issued a poster featuring the five youths in the hope members of the public will come forward to identify them in connection with the riot on August 18, when a group of 100 revellers pelted the police station with bottles and full cans of beer.

While this incident was taking place, a 300-strong group of ravers broke into a factory on Harfrey's Industrial Estate to set up sound equipment.

Police officers were drafted in from as far afield as Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire to try and control the rave only to be attacked with fencing poles and missiles by hostile revellers, leaving some officers with minor injuries.

DI Andy Guy, the senior investigating officer, said: “These five individuals where amongst those who came to Yarmouth and caused a considerable nuisance and cost to the businesses of the Harfrey's industrial estate and to the taxpayers of Norfolk.”

The trouble started when police arrested the three occupants of a white Ford Transit van during a routine check for scrap metal after finding sound equipment on board destined for the rave. A large crowd then gathered outside the police station in Howard Street North in an attempt to get the equipment back and the men released.

When this failed, the ravers moved onto the Boundary Road factory where wire cutters were used to break into the compound so revellers could pile in in their cars. Computers were ripped out and filing cabinets smashed so the music equipment and six speakers could be set up.

DI Guy added: “The engineering company Thermaglow was broken into, offices ransacked and items stolen. A large and potentially dangerous cable was used from the factory to power the sound system. The ravers parked 120 vehicles in Thermaglow's compound and when confronted by police, various elements in the crowd became violent.

“Some individuals attacked officers with scaffold poles and planks of wood. Several officers who attended the incident described the situation as one of the most frightening and violent public order situations they have ever experienced. We have and will continue to deal robustly with these types of incidents.”

To date, 17 people have been arrested, charged or reported, with 81 offences identified.

Anyone who can assist with the identification of the five youths should phone either DI Guy or DC Mark Chapman at Norfolk police on 0845 4564567.