Will security cameras put an end to illegal raves?
By thisislocallondon – Thursday 28 September 2000
Copyright: thisislocallondon
Security cameras may be introduced at Tolworth Court Farm following the illegal three-day rave a month ago.
The Kingston cabinet made a raft of proposals last week to prevent a repeat of the event which was attended by 3,000 people and prompted thousands of complaints to the police and the council from local residents.
Among the suggestions was to extend CCTV, planned for Tolworth Broadway, down to the site on Kingston Road and Jubilee Way.
The council has put also submitted planning applications to rebuild and add to large mounds of earth at the front of Tolworth Court farm in response to the illegal rave which happened on the land last month. The mounds are designed to prevent any illegal entry onto the site by travellers or ravers.
It is also going to draw up a ‘major incidents plan’ to improve communications between the council, police, residents and other agencies in emergencies. A report is being prepared on how existing guidelines to deal with illegal occupation of land by travellers can be revised to cover larger events such as raves.
MP Edward Davey has written to Home Secretary Jack Straw asking to meet him to discuss the policing issues which have arisen from the rave.
Kingston Superintendent Keith Free said: “I am hopeful the team of officers chasing the rave organisers will soon be successful.”
