Warning About Bank Holiday Illegal Parties
Potential Bank Holiday ravers should think again before travelling to Hampshire this weekend for illegal events.
Police will be dealing with any raves robustly and regularly patrolling any rumoured sites to prevent partygoers from attending.
If you are considering organising an illegal rave you should be aware that you could be liable to six months imprisonment and a £20k fine.
Police also have powers to seize your vehicles and sound equipment.
Officers are also asking the rural community for their help by reporting any suspicious activity by calling 101 so they can stop any raves before they even start.
The warning comes after police successfully disrupted an illegal rave being held in a wooded area between Herriard and Lasham in north Hampshire on Saturday, August 18.
At around 11pm officers received information about the event taking place, as well as a number of complaints from local residents.
Subsequently in excess of 50 police officers from across the force area, were deployed to the site to disband those in attendance and disrupt more people travelling to the rave.
Officers used powers under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act to prevent an escalation of the event and also seize the generators, used to power sound equipment.
Chief Inspector Steve Wallace, said: "We received a number of complaints from members of the community regarding this event. There were around 200 people at the rave, with people still arriving at 3am from as far away as Lincoln.
"Our priorities were to minimise disruption to the residents and to ensure the safety of all those involved.
"Action can be taken against anyone involved in organising an unlicensed rave. Where entertainment is provided for the public, there must be a premises licence under the Licensing Act. Certain smaller scale events may be held under a temporary event notice.
"Because rave events cause nuisance, disruption and environmental damage, the penalties are severe. Anyone who carries out an unlicensed rave or who allows such an activity, is liable to imprisonment for six months and fined up to £20,000.
"Police can also, in certain circumstances, seize vehicles and sound equipment and prevent partygoers gathering.
"We are now actively investigating this incident with the aim to prosecute the organisers. We are keen to hear from anyone who has any information about the event."
Anyone who has any information about this incident is asked to contact Basingstoke Police Station on 101 or call Crimestoppers, the charity, 0800 555 111, where information can be left anonymously.
