Ravers blamed for party damage
By thisisoxfordshire – Monday 07 January 2002
Copyright: thisisoxfordshire
Partygoers who held a rave on an industrial estate are alleged to have caused hundreds of pounds’ damage.
Up to 500 carloads of people arrived on the Crendon industrial estate, in Long Crendon, near Thame, on New Year’s Eve for an impromptu party in two warehouses.
Despite complaints from nearby businesses, police say they were powerless to act because the event was taking place on commercial premises and there was no evidence of any crime.
Philip Goodall, chairman of Toyzone, one of the firms on the estate, said the revellers took pallets from outside his premises, two doors away, to light fires during the party.
He said loud music was played until 4am on New Year’s Day and a trail of damage, broken glass and empty bottles left behind.
Mr Goodall said he contacted police when he saw the cars arriving, but was told they could do nothing.
Thames Valley Police spokesman Lucy Ferguson said: “We understand this must be extremely frustrating for all concerned but police powers are very limited in situations such as this.
“This was a commercial property and it is up to the owners to obtain a court order to remove people.
“There was no evidence of possession or supply of drugs and although we received several complaints, they were largely concerned with noise levels which is an environmental health matter.
“Investigations are continuing into allegations of criminal damage.”
She added: “The laws regarding domestic property are different and we have extensive powers to remove trespassers immediately.”
http://www.thisisoxfordshire.co.uk/
