New powers to curb raves
Police are preparing for their annual crackdown on illegal raves in the Westcountry, armed with powers to confiscate stereos and take revellers to court. Officers will soon set up barricades around the disused Smeatharpe airfield near Honiton, East Devon, which three years ago was overrun by revellers who had been turned away from the Glastonbury Festival. Sites across the region traditionally targeted by organisers of illegal events have also been identified by police.
Devon and Cornwall, Avon and Somerset, Dorset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Police have been scouring the Internet for any mention of illegal raves in a bid to stop rural beauty spots being invaded by illicit summer gatherings.
Any information will be used to launch an action plan to prevent such events from taking place.
Armed with the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003, officers will be able to disband gatherings once 20 or more people have congregated in an open or indoor area. Previously, they were unable to take action to force people to move unless at least 100 revellers had gathered.
Under section 14 of the Act, the senior police officer at the scene can prevent people from attending the gathering if they believe it may cause serious distress to the local community.
Ignoring this direction, or returning to the land within the next week, are both offences liable to three months’ imprisonment.
As part of the crackdown, codenamed Operation Pell, police will also ask local farmers, landowners and residents to inform them of any suspicious characters in their area who might be assessing its viability as a rave site.
Inspector Norman Amey, the officer in charge of the operation in Devon and Cornwall, said: “We have the powers to stop these illegal gatherings and seize equipment.
“We will do so if necessary to protect the rights and lifestyles of the local community as well as preventing serious injury and hazards to health of those attending.”
Copyright 2005 Western Morning News (Plymouth)
not really telling us anything we hadn’t worked out, but i thought it was an interesting choice of second paragraph ➡
