Police stop rave in bakery
By thisislocallondon – Tuesday 08 January 2002
Copyright: thisislocallondon
A rave in a disused bakery building was shut down by police officers, it emerged today.
Inspector Joe Wrigley said it is the first rave in the Braintree division to be closed down using public nuisance legislation.
He is concerned that raves are a front for drug dealing and are at the heart of an increase in the drug culture and his comments come after a Dunmow farmer was arrested when he tried to stop a rave on his land.
Girls aged 13-15 were among the 70 people that had gathered for the New Year’s Eve party in the Bocking building.
Insp Wrigley added there were no apparent first-aiders, too few fire extinguishers, no fire exits and the Bovingdon Road premises were close to homes and next to a building that was ravaged by fire.
He said: “It was a recipe for disaster and I thought that if it went on we would be picking up a body – it was minus eight degrees.
“There has to be something we can do otherwise this summer is going to be a nightmare.
“I am desperately on the community’s side but why are we doing it on our own. Everyone is looking to the police but there are fire safety, public health and licensing issues.
“We have a collective responsibility. The drug culture has been allowed to increase and these parties are at the heart of that,” said Insp Wrigley.
He said he will be setting up meetings with licensing officers at Braintree and Uttlesford councils in a move to bring in other agencies to deal with the growing trend.
Under current legislation police officers are able to stop a rave in the open-air but not in a building.
http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/
