Those facilitating or organising illegal raves,
unlicensed music events, or any other unlawful
gathering of 30 people or more may face a £10,000 fine
– placing a new deterrent on the breaches that put the
public most at risk.
Fines of £100 can continue to be issued to those who
participate in illegal gatherings and those who have
already received a fine will see the amount of doubled
on each offence, up to a maximum of £3,200.
Home Secretary said:
These gatherings are dangerous and those who organise
them show a blatant disregard for the safety of
others.
I am pleased the police have already stepped up their
response and I am giving them the tools they need to
continue to keep us safe.
We will continue to crack down on the small minority
who think they are above the law.
It comes as the NPCC warned police forces in England
and Wales will continue to increase patrols to prevent
illegal gatherings during the pandemic heading into the
bank holiday weekend.
In areas of concern – such as Leicester and Greater
Manchester - deployments have already been larger than
on New Year’s Eve.
National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for Unlicensed
Music Events, Commander Ade Adelekan, said:
We welcome this further deterrent against those who
irresponsibly put people’s health and safety at risk
by organising these events. Unlicensed music events
are unlawful and unregulated. 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.
It is vital that forces obtain information about any
illegal events at the earliest opportunity. As
organisers are able to spread the word about these
events quickly online, timely information about
suspicious activity or plans enables forces to plan
ahead and take effective action against them.
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. There is a risk of prosecution for
those who organise these events and equipment will be
seized.
In London, the Metropolitan Police has responded to
more than 1,000 unlicensed events since the end of
June, receiving information on more than 200 events
across the city in a single weekend.
Aside from the risk of spreading the virus, many events
are linked to criminality and also turn violent. This
week two teenagers were stabbed at a warehouse rave in
Borehamwood, Hertfordshire.
In Manchester a 27-year-old woman, said to be the
organiser of large illegal gatherings over two
consecutive evenings was issued with a fine for £100
and issued with an anti-social behaviour banning order
preventing anyone outside the household from entering
the property.
Also on the 28 August, fines for not wearing face
coverings where it is mandated will also double for
repeat offences, starting at £100 and doubling to a
maximum of £3,200 for each repeat offence, mirroring
fixed penalty notices for breaches for other
restrictions.
It is mandatory to wear a face covering on public
transport, and in many enclosed public spaces including
shops, supermarkets and high street outlets unless you
are exempt, including on the grounds of age, health or
disability.
