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‘Outbreak’ of illegal raves expected over bank holiday weekend as police step up response

Warning issued as forces granted new powers to fine event organisers

Liam James
Friday 28 August 2020 16:09 BST
Revellers in Droylsden were met with a sign deeming the event a ‘Quarantine Rave’
Revellers in Droylsden were met with a sign deeming the event a ‘Quarantine Rave’

Police forces in England are stepping up measures to tackle illegal raves and gatherings as a nightlife association warns of an "outbreak" of unlicensed events over the bank holiday weekend.

In London, where more than 1,000 Unlicensed Music Events (UMEs) have been held since the end of June, the Metropolitan Police said they have been in contact with the organisers of events planned over the weekend, advising them to consider restrictions on gatherings put in place during the coronavirus pandemic.

Public order officers will be on hand to support local teams if necessary in response to any incidents, the force said in a statement on Friday.

The Met has also specifically warned the public against attending events in place of what would have been the Notting Hill Carnival, which will be held online this year.

“Watch the celebration of carnival from the comfort of your own home, online. We urge people to not come into the traditional area to celebrate; there are no events. Where there are large gatherings of people, officers will be deployed to interact with those gathered," Commander Bas Javid said.

In West Yorkshire, police have put dispersal orders in place for the weekend to give officers the power to order people to leave certain areas for up to 48 hours or face arrest. The orders will cover all of Leeds and also give officers the power to confiscate sound systems and other equipment being used at illegal events, West Yorkshire Police said in a statement.

In Manchester, the drinking of alcohol in public places will be prohibited over the weekend, unless they are licensed otherwise, Greater Manchester Police said. The force had previously stepped up their response to UMEs and other gatherings after an increase in the weeks after lockdown restrictions were first lifted.

The tougher measures across England come as police are granted the power to hand out fines of up to £10,000 to organisers of UMEs as well as £100 fines for attendees.

Meanwhile, the Night-Time Industries Association (NTIA), an industry body representing pubs, nightclubs and live music venues, warned of an expected "outbreak of illegal raves and parties" over the bank holiday weekend that will put more young people at risk.

“Small house parties and raves have been bubbling under the surface of society for many years now, but lockdown has intensified this with young people searching for alternatives to late-night venues as they struggle to cope with continuing restrictions on their lives due to the pandemic,” said Michael Kill, CEO of the NTIA.

The NTIA also warned that illegal gatherings may spike during the upcoming freshers period, when they fear restrictions on nightclubs and venues will drive new and returning university students to attend illegal gatherings in place of the traditional cheap nights out.

“Bank holidays present a particular challenge but given the imminent reintroduction of student communities to university cities, and restrictions on the reopening of nightclubs and venues, we are concerned that the freshers period will result in an eruption of illegal house parties and gatherings. This will create challenging times for police forces up and down the country,” Mr Kill added.

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