Proposed council by-laws to stop controversial raves at the Welsh Harp Nature Reserve could prove ineffective, according to official Barnet Council committee papers.

Raves at the beauty spot have become a bone of contention for residents of West Hendon, who complained that neither the council nor the police were willing to take action to prevent the illegal outdoor gatherings.

Following a series of council meetings, Barnet and Brent councils - which jointly own the nature reserve - took out an injunction against the suspected organisers, Torque London and Tiago Kaman, banning them from organising the illegal parties. The council also proposed a by-law banning any gatherings involving musical equipment, camping, climbing trees and litter.

But the council committee papers state: "By-laws are only as powerful as the enforcement action taken. The adoption of new by-laws may lead the public to believe that the council will stop all antisocial behaviour on the site. Owing to resource restrictions, enforcement will not be possible at all times."

It also stated that by-laws may improve people's behaviour, but only if they are aware that the laws are in place.

Currently, some of the 50-hectare site is patrolled one weekend in three by police and it expected that this provision will increase.

The proposed by-laws will cover land surrounding the Welsh Harp, parts of Woodfield Park and West Hendon Playing Fields.

A decision on its implementation is expected during a Hendon area environment sub-committee meeting on September 5.

Two parties have been held this summer, giving residents sleepless nights and leaving the nature reserve strewn with rubbish.