Was that the full size of the rave? WTF! The 5.0 are really laying into us this year…
about 500 people.
it appears that this operation is a reprisal due to local people complaining the cops “were not doing enough”, and the East Anglia becoming a “soft spot for raves”,
The justification for deploying the TSG units would be “to ensure the event was closed down and the rave equipment seized to prevent it being used for further events”, and previous incidents where cops were pelted on arrival at site (it only takes one stupid incident like this for the heavy mob to be called in!).
In recent EDP press coverage an MP urged more confiscations, and that Mr Pitts didn’t help matters by showing a potential “division” within the scene (it will be interesting to see if he suddenly stops doing illegal pay events and tries applying for a PEL!)
TVP have done similar things on a number of occasions when the locals have complained there are too many raves in one area. the court case from this is still ongoing.
its completely pointless and counterproductive IMO – by confiscating kit, causing people huge financial losses, and removing a relatively safe (if noisy) release of energy, thats a major incentive for angry youths to turn to more pernicious drug use, crime and even violence.
Unfortunately I don’t think these operations will stop (particularly as middle england is in Mr Angry mode after 7/7 etc) but shutting down the raves won’t be a magic wand that will stop crime and anti-social behaviour – perhaps the opposite. those who are discouraged by anti-rave ops will return to pubs and clubs and take up binge-drinking. I’ve seen this happen amongst former friends…
when TVP enforced the new CJA back in the 1990s, leaning both on illegal and licensed events; and the Tories started that scare over pills (Leah Betts etc) there was a momentary lull in the rave scene – but people started just staying in their houses or in pubs or hanging round estates again and thats when the crack and heroin started becoming a regular thing.
Society is still paying for this, in blood and broken windows. Surely there is a better way?
