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New police powers to stop raves Might affect Stonehenge gatherings

alan lodge [tash] | 16.06.2004 00:20

Avon and Somerset police are taking advantage of new legislation to help break up illegal gatherings and raves before they happen.
Previously, 100 people had to be gathered in an open space before officers could take action. Might affect Stonehenge gatherings.

New police powers to stop raves

BBC News  http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/somerset/3808411.stm

Avon and Somerset police are taking advantage of new legislation to help break up illegal gatherings and raves before they happen.
Previously, 100 people had to be gathered in an open space before officers could take action.

The new order gives them powers to break up a crowd of 20 or more people in open or indoor areas.

And anyone who is moved on faces arrest if they try to start up another gathering within 24 hours.


The force is believed to be one of the first in the country to adopt the new legislation under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003.

'Early Action'

Operational planning head, Superintendent Adrian Coombs, said police could now deal with incidents more effectively rather than relying on public order legislation.

"In the past we've had a situation where officers realised they could do little until a rave had been going on for some time, meaning serious disruption to both local people and officers.

"Now officers will have the power to take early action to prevent a rave getting off the ground in the first place," he said.

The new legislation also gives police powers to remove 20 or more people suspected of trespass, which will stop raves in disused warehouses taking place.

and

So, there you have it! yet another turn of the screw. I pointed out the advance of these law changes, earlier on my blog at:

 http://tash_lodge.blogspot.com/2003_10_05_tash_lodge_archive.html#106569213958283190

 http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2003/10/278956.html

An earlier 'Rant' about it all at, and further info:

 http://tash.gn.apc.org/rant_1.htm

 http://tash.gn.apc.org/sys_opinion.htm

 http://tash.gn.apc.org/law_impl.htm also ....

New toys (and new skills) for the Old Bill

 http://partyvibe.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1681


all on my blog at:

 http://tash_lodge.blogspot.com/2004_06_13_tash_lodge_archive.html#108733713725031608


ho hum!!!!

best

tash



____________________________________________
ALAN LODGE
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alan lodge [tash]
- e-mail: tash@gn.apc.org
- Homepage: http://tash.gn.apc.org

Comments

Hide the following 3 comments

you might stop the party but you can't stop the future

16.06.2004 01:00

ho hum indeed - well we'll see in a few days...

d'you know if they've used the legislation yet re: being able to arrest people if they try to go to another unauthorised gathering within 24hrs of being directed to leave one?

all pretty harsh and liable to cause trouble at some point imho.

cya.

just do it!


Avon and Somerset police Stonehenge?

16.06.2004 17:33

I thought Stonehenge was in Wiltshire: are the force there using ASBOs against small gatherings too?

MJR


yes, but this is just the start ....

18.06.2004 09:26

stonehenge gatherings have affected 7 or 8 police areas! It is not as simple as stonehenge is in wiltshire, i'm afraid ..... In the past, we have been shovelled around in many force areas. So, what happens in avon & somerset is of material importance. Further, this is just the start! It will be adopted by many forces over the next few months. Sory about that

alan lodge [tash]
mail e-mail: tash@gn.apc.org