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Police chief demands more powers to tackle raves

Police have been struggling to deal with unlicensed music events
Police have been struggling to deal with unlicensed music events

Police need tougher powers to combat illegal street parties and raves, one of the country’s most senior officers has warned.

Chief Constable Dave Thompson, who heads up West Midlands Police, the second largest force in England, said it was difficult to tackle illegal gatherings because the penalties were no stiffer than for failing to wear a face mask on public transport.

In recent weeks police forces across the country have been struggling to contain an increasing number of unlicensed music events where large numbers of young people have gathered.

As well as breaching social distancing and Covid regulations, the gatherings often lead to community tension and unrest and in some cases have seen the police attacked by violent missile throwing yobs.

Dave Thompson is the Chief Constable of West Midlands Police
Dave Thompson is the Chief Constable of West Midlands Police

Mr Thompson said part of the problem was that the police had few powers at their disposal to combat the events and in some cases were only able to issue minor fines to those responsible.

Writing on his blog, Mr Thompson urged the Government to consider bringing in stiffer sanctions.

He wrote: "I am very concerned over the illegal gatherings in the form of car cruises or street-based parties. These are disorderly, dangerous events that risk spreading infections.

"We have to effectively intervene and deal with these issues. If we do not then this will result in increased delinquency and risk to the public.

"In these circumstances people are taking deliberate, concerted mass action to breach the regulations.

"I am encouraging government to consider additional powers and stronger deterrence for these circumstances."

Mr Thompson added: "If you organise an illegal street party the sanction must be more serious than not wearing a face mask on a bus."

Reflecting on the pandemic he said the public response had been very encouraging, but that his officers were in the “hard yards” of enforcing new regulations.

He said: “The public followed the lockdown better than any of us could have imagined.

"People are still being amazing (look at face mask uptakes in shops) but there is fatigue and some aspects of lockdown are openly challenged by a minority."

He went on: "This is all very tough to manage and it is coming at a time where we are missing social contact with friends and family and some sun.

"These are the toughest times in the history of policing. The longest emergency outside a war and one that is being fought against an invisible disease.

"These are historic times but I know we will add to our proud history through your efforts.”