Police shut down an illegal party
By Kent Constabulary – Monday, July 29, 2002
Copyright: Kent Constabulary
Three people have been charged following a police operation late Saturday and early Sunday aimed at shutting down an illegal rave planned for a field near the village of Hadlow in Kent.
Seized during the operation was £3,000 worth of ecstasy and cannabis as well as a CS gas cannister and an asp (extending baton).
The rave, which is believed to have been moved at the last minute from Hadlow to the Joyce Green Hospital site near Dartford, was due to start at 10pm and police believe as many as 1,000 people were expected to attend. According to advertisements and a website, the rave was expected to last throughout the night ending at 10am.
Police officers sent to both locations stopped cars coming into the sites and turned away people who had travelled from across Kent, Essex and London to attend.
Supt Trevor Pankhurst said: “Our main concern is for the safety of Kent residents and for the safety of the young people who are encouraged to attend illegal raves. By arriving early that evening we were able to quickly turn people away, a large proportion of whom were in their teens. While our approach is low-key, focused on high profile policing and on prevention, we will continue to police illegal raves robustly. We will continue to make arrests where appropriate and will ensure those who commit offences are taken before the courts.”
Charges:
Charged with possession of ecstasy with intent to supply is a 16 year old boy from Swanley. He has been bailed to Dartford Youth Court on 30 July 2002.
Charged with possession of cannabis with intent to supply and possession of an offensive weapon (an asp) is David Kay Richard Snape, a steel engineer, aged 18, of Mounts Road, Greenhithe. He has been bailed to Dartford Magistrates’ Court on 24 July 2002.
Charged with possession of a CS gas cannister is Jack Alexander Craig Tandy, unemployed, aged 20, of Ash Tree Drive in West Kingsdown. He has been bailed to Dartford Magistrates’ Court on 31 July 2002.
Others:
A 21 year old man from London arrested for drugs possession has been bailed without charge to return following further police enquiries. A 17 year old youth has similarly been bailed without charge after he was arrested for drugs possession. A 19 year old man and 20 year old man were arrested but they were refused charge and released.
http://www.kent.police.uk/
