Organisers of illegal raves to face a £10,000 fine under new crackdown

UK

Anyone organising illegal raves or gatherings of more than 30 people could face a £10,000 fine as tougher rules come into place in England next Friday.

Police have been dealing with a surge in unlicensed music events in recent weeks and the government plans to crack down on illegal gatherings ahead of the August bank holiday weekend.

Boris Johnson said the new rules would be introduced when he announced a further lockdown easing on last week.



Police were seen retreating as the crowd threw bottles and other objects at them







Police confront angry crowd in Brixton

People taking part in illegal raves, unlicensed music events or any other unlawful gathering of 30 people or more face a £100 fine.

Those who have already been fined will see the amount double on each offence, up to a maximum of £3,200.

Organisers face a heftier fine of up to £10,000.

The tougher rules follow reports of hundreds of illegal parties and raves across the country, with police being alerted to more than 200 events in London in a single weekend.

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Metropolitan Police officers have responded to more than 1,000 illegal events in the capital since the end of June.

Elsewhere, West Midlands Police shut down 125 parties and raves – including one attended by up to 600 people – in one weekend.

Birmingham Police were called to more than 70 street and house parties and other unlicensed gatherings on Saturday night.

Police in Huddersfield broke up an illegal rave involving some 300 people and West Yorkshire Police tweeted they were called to the gathering in Deighton, where missiles were thrown at officers.

In Greater Manchester, where tighter lockdown restrictions have been in place due to a spike in coronavirus cases, police have reported breaking up wedding parties, raves and house parties.









‘Quarantine rave’ attacked by police

At two gatherings attended by thousands of people one night in Manchester, a man died of a suspected drug overdose and three others were stabbed.

The National Police Chiefs’ Council said some areas of concern, including Greater Manchester and Leicester, have seen police deployments larger than on New Year’s Eve.

It warned that forces in England and Wales will continue to increase patrols heading into the bank holiday weekend.

People at a gathering in Tottenham said they just wanted to have a good time
Image:
People at a gathering in Tottenham said they just wanted to have a good time

Commander Ade Adelekan, lead for unlicensed music events, said: “These events are hosted without regard for the safety of those attending, and police have observed cases of anti-social behaviour, sales of drugs and gang activity.

“To the organisers of this sort of activity, I strongly advise that you seriously consider the risks you’re creating for everyone in attendance and the wider community.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “These gatherings are dangerous and those who organise them show a blatant disregard for the safety of others.”

She added that police will continue to “crack down on the small minority who think they are above the law”.

Fines for not wearing face coverings where necessary – such as in shops and on public transport – will also double for repeat offenders from Friday.

They will start at £100 and double to a maximum of £3,200 for each repeat offence.

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