MPs call for end to illegal raves
By thisislocallondon – Friday 17 November 2000
Copyright: thisislocallondon
Assurances have been sought from the Metropolitan Police that another situation like the three-day illegal rave in Tolworth will not happen.
Sutton and Cheam MP Paul Burstow was inundated with complaints from bleary-eyed residents in Worcester Park and Cheam following the massive outdoor party in September.
Around 3,000 revellers descended on Tolworth Court Farm for the three-day illegal party, where seven sound stages pumped out music so loud it could be heard as far away as Ashtead.
Thousands of sleepless residents jammed council switchboards while police fielded hundreds of calls from people demanding the racket was turned off.
The event drew fierce criticism of the police who chose not to shut the rave down immediately, prompting claims there were not enough officers on duty to deal with the situation a charge hotly denied by the Met.
However, on Tuesday night Sutton and Cheam MP Paul Burstow and his Kingston and Surbiton counterpart Ed Davey met with Home Office minister Charles Clarke to discuss the police response.
The pair were told there would be a review of how police monitor planning of illegal parties on the net.
