UK: Rave organiser is fined – June 2001 Rave organiser is fined
by This is Brigthon and Hove
Copyright: This is Brigthon and Hove
The organiser of an illegal all-night rave claimed he believed police gave him permission to stage the event, a court heard.
Craig Shepherd, 24, of Shanklin Road, Brighton, admitted organising the unlicensed entertainment and was fined £500 by Brighton Magistrates Court. Shepherd, an unemployed teacher of English to foreign students, was also ordered to pay £70 costs.
The court heard about 1,000 people gathered for the free dance party in a field in Woodingdean, near Brighton, on the night of May 13. It lasted from 1am until 10.30am. Police attended the site, on open farmland near Bexhill Road and Falmer Road, in the early hours and Shepherd was arrested at about 8am.
Theresa Blades, defending, claimed Shepherd believed he had been given police permission to hold the rave. She said he originally planned to hold the event at Shoreham Beach and about eight people attended when the police turned up at 10.30pm. When the officers indicated they were not happy, Shepherd said he would rather be in the countryside but he was concerned about foot-and-mouth disease.
Ms Blades said: "The police made it clear they did not want him to be on the seafront and indicated if he went out in the countryside he would not have a problem. "If he had been told he should not have a party that night he would not have. He felt he had been unofficially told he could move into the countryside.
"He went to an area he felt would not disturb residents and there were no complaints of noise. "This was a free outdoor party. It is very much part of the ethos and spirit that it was free. He feels strongly that people in Brighton have to pay a lot of money to go out to clubs owned by big businesses."
There were donations of £150 which covered the cost of hiring sound equipment. Ms Blades said he took his responsibilities as an organiser seriously and had ensured there was someone attending with first aid and fire safety knowledge. She said all rubbish was cleared away.
The court heard Shepherd should have applied to Brighton and Hove City Council for a public entertainment licence, which would have specified health and safety regulations.
http://www.thisisbrightonandhove.co.uk/
UK: Will the party last all summer? – May 2001 Will the party last all summer?
by R Dore
Copyright: R Dore
Last weekend's rave in countryside north of Woodingdean, Brighton, was condemned as irresponsible, by police, farmers and politicians.
Those who attended the event claimed it was harmless fun for people who just wanted to party.
Rave organisers will run similar events in Sussex over the coming weeks, playing a cat and mouse game with the police, who are determined to clamp down on disorder.
But unless police receive prior warning of an event it is often impossible for them to stop it happening or break it up.
The raves are never advertised but their whereabouts and timing are spread by word of mouth only hours before the event begins.
News of the location is spread through the local night clubs, among travellers and the student population, and within an hour thousands can be heading for a particular venue.
Last Saturday it was Woodingdean.
This weekend it could be in an empty warehouse near you, blasting deafening music through giant loudspeakers and wrecking the sleep of thousands.
The Woodingdean rave lasted ten hours between 1am and 11am on Newmarket Hill - land which is owned by Brighton and Hove City Council and farmed by Rottingdean farmers John and Martin Carr.
Newmarket Hill leads to the Castle Hill nature reserve, which is a Special Site of Scientific Interest due to the rare plants and insects found in the area.
The events are not always harmless and peaceful. Last weekend two police cars were damaged at a cost of £15,000.
Police had little warning of the event and were only able to monitor the several hundreds drinking alcohol and dancing.
And despite organisers going round the site with large plastic bags to collect rubbish the Carrs claim damage costing more than £500 was caused to the land.
Farmer John Carr estimates the event was attended by more than 1,000 people who arrived in 200 cars.
It is the fourth time in four years Newmarket Hill has been used for a rave.
During past years police have successfully stopped regular raves taking place in Littlehampton, Climping and Patcham.
But this time the ravers timed their arrival at the site between 9pm and 10pm, knowing police were changing shifts and unable to get sufficient manpower to the site to block their entrance.
In fact police only heard of the rave at 4am when they were phoned by motorists and residents in Woodingdean.
Inspector Paul Smith, head of the East Sector of Brighton Police, said: "To stop raves like this taking place we have to be in place early and get enough manpower to the area to block off the site.
"When we got here, there were so many people here that we just had to stand by and monitor.
"It was while the officers were walking round the site the police cars were damaged.
"The area was cleared by midday on Sunday. There was no trouble as people left. So in that sense our policing policy of the event was a success.
"It is vital we get early warning from the public if they see people possibly gathering for a rave. If we had had earlier warning about what was happening at Woodingdean, we could have got enough manpower to seal off the area and persuade people to go away."
Once a party has started, the police do have powers through the Criminal Justice Act, including confiscation of equipment and powers to arrest people openly dealing in drugs.
Local authorities and private individuals are almost powerless to stop a rave once it has started.
Action through the courts would take too long and they would only be able to take civil action beforehand if there was concrete details of the location and time.
Only if a rave went on for a few days would it be possible for solicitors to take action through the civil courts.
However those participating in the raves don't believe they are doing anything wrong.
One of the ravers told The Argus: "We went out on the Downs, had a fantastic time, watched the sun come up and then wandered home in the late morning warmth.
It is quite amusing to find one's evening a subject of intrigue for the whole of the media and of course it's real pity it became public interest because of damaged police cars.
"I wish they hadn't been damaged, and so did almost all other party-goers.
"I didn't go to a rave on Saturday night, I went to a free party".
UK: Trouble only starts when police arrive – May 2001 Trouble only starts when police arrive
by This is Brigthon and Hove
Copyright: This is Brigthon and Hove
Rowan Dore's article (Argus, May 14) was an attempt to rally readers against raves.
Careful thought goes into choosing a site for a rave as far from local residents as possible. However, options are limited by other considerations. For example, recently, I attended a free party in countryside far from residential homes. Unfortunately, the land was owned by the Ministry of Defence, which sent dozens of police in full riot gear to force us away.
In Britain today, it is illegal for people to gather in the countryside to have a party or a festival. The police are used to defend wealthy landowners against the landless poor.
Mr Dore mentions the proximity of the Woodingdean rave to a Site of Special Scientific Interest, implying damage was done to it or the ravers would have damaged it. This is not the case. Furthermore, it is customary for ravers to collect their litter when the party is over.
Inspector Paul Smith said: "There was no trouble as people left, so, in that sense, our policing policy of the event was a success."
However, there would have been no trouble at all had the police not been in attendance. It is regrettable two police cars were damaged.
Unfortunately, a large section of society has come to fear and distrust the police after years of being criminalised by unjust laws relating to assemblies, protests, soft drugs and so on. Rather than being used to block a country lane, the police cars could have been better employed elsewhere.
http://www.thisisbrightonandhove.co.uk/
UK: Tekno Trouble – May 2001 Tekno Trouble
courtesy of SchNEWS - May 2001
Copyright: SchNEWS
Last weekend, the hottest of the year, saw the party posse out in full effect with the Hardcore Conspiracy Teknival. Late last summer there was a massive Teknival involving 6000 people in Kingston, Surrey, leaving the cops none too chuffed, so they didn't want to get caught with their pants down again.
Panik, United Systems, Underground Sound, Skirmish, Random Sound, Headfuk, Negusa Negast and other assorted rigs were out entertaining the kids all over the South East. Unfortunately our old sparring partners, the cops, were also out, trying as ever, to spoil the fun. The wacky races started on the Friday night near the Hampshire/Surrey border with an attempted party on old M.O.D. land. This was evicted under the Criminal Justice Act on Saturday morning but the sound system was allowed to leave and the free party people moved onto Guildford, where they tried to set up but again the forces of darkness put a stop to it. The next place people went to was a few miles up the road, near Cobham where about 500 danced until about midnight. This time about 150 tooled up riot cops complete with helicopters and dog units gate-crashed, with one woman beaten unconscious and needing hospital treatment. On the way out all of the systems were confiscated and so people headed towards the coast. But as ever the sound crews are still up for it telling SchNEWS "The struggle continues. They will never kill the music. Expect us back soon."
Meanwhile down in sunny Brighton two big parties were also taking place put on by local sound systems. One was on a legal traveller site and because of the numbers living there already, ie. the travellers, the cops left it alone and the party continued for two nights. The other was at Woodingdean, where up to 1000 people were enjoying a pleasant night on the South Downs. The cops, who didn't even hear about the party till about 4am left two cars on the track leading up to the site. However, they hadn't been paying attention to their own adverts telling people to lock up their valuables and left their car doors unlocked. Unfortunately one of the hand brakes mysteriously released itself and the car slid down into a ditch, while theother flipped itself over and ended up on its roof in the same ditch. The cops weren't best pleased with this and came on to site at about 10am when most people had left and nicked the sound system, the owner, his van and his records.
http://www.schnews.org.uk/
World: French ravers clash with police – May 2001 French Ravers Clash with Police
BBC News - Friday, 25 May, 2001
Copyright: BBC News
A policeman is in a coma in southern France following clashes with protesters demanding the right to hold raves. Six police officers and at least two demonstrators were injured during the clashes in the city of Toulouse on Thursday night. Violence broke out after police tried to break up a crowd of several hundred ravers to make arrests. The ravers were protesting against planned changes to the law which would put raves under threat.
Right to party
Police fired tear gas to break up the crowd in the town's central square, but clashes continued in side streets. Reinforce-ments were brought in and the situation returned to normal by the end of the night. Ravers across France staged protests on Thursday, which mostly remained peaceful. They created a carnival atmosphere as jugglers, fire-eaters and dance groups took to the streets.
Protesters say that a bill, passed by the French lower house of parliament, would allow the seizure of sound equipment from raves. It would also make it possible to fine organisers who did not register their raves in advance.
Lifestyle
Ravers say the proposal is an attack on freedom of expression. "We refuse all arbitrary censorship of our art and all refusals of our choice of lifestyle," read one slogan. One protest organiser in Lille said there was a musical and cultural current behind raves. "When you go 300km (180 miles) to have a party, it's not just to get high," the protester said.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/
UK: Ravers wreck police cars – May 2001 Ravers wreck police cars
BBC News - Sunday, 13 May, 2001
Copyright: BBC News
Two police patrol cars were wrecked early on Sunday when people attending an illegal rave on the South Downs, rolled the vehicles down a hill. Sussex Police said the cars were later recovered from the dance event at Woodingdean, near Brighton, but were so badly damaged they would have to be written off. About 1,000 people set up camp on the South Downs on land known as Race Hill. But police say revellers have now started to leave the site after officers met with the rave organiser, who now faces arrest. This follows the claim by a farmer whose land was occupied, that £400 damage has been caused to his crops.
It is also thought that the area chosen for the rave is part of a local nature reserve, which is now being inspected by reserve workers for damage. A Sussex police spokesman said: "People have now started clearing the site. The organiser faces investigation by police in connection with damage caused to vehicles and the farmer's property." It is believed those attending the event were the same group who were moved on from land in Hampshire and Surrey on Saturday.
The attack on the patrol cars happened at around 0400 BST following a visit by police. Officers had been deciding whether to move in and break up the rave by force or to let it run its course in the hope the revellers would move off peacefully.
Ravers are 'enterprising people'
Police moved on 250 revellers who had gathered for an illegal rave at Bramshott in Hampshire on Saturday. Surrey Police also moved action to stop around 400 setting up camp at Painshill in Cobham. A Sussex Police spokesman said: "We had a problem with gatherings all evening and it looks as though many finally went to this site.
"These are very enterprising people. They all have mobile phones and can change venue at a moments notice. "When officers went along following a call at 4am a group wrecked two patrol cars by rolling them down a hill. The cars are complete write-offs. "Attacking a police car is like attacking a fire engine or an ambulance. It could make all the difference in an emergency and this will cost the taxpayer a lot of money."
He added that it was thought the rave had been intended to continue all day and night.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/
UK: Call for Tolworth TEKNIVAL site to be protected – March 2001 Call for rave site to be protected
By thisislocallondon - Friday 16 March 2001
Copyright: thisislocallondon
Chessington residents are worried that Tolworth Court Farm was vulnerable to invasion of travellers after it emerged that no money had been set aside to shore up its defences.
Jim Taylor, chairman of the Chessington District resident association, expressed residents fears during a cabinet meeting on Tuesday.
This years budget settlement did not renew the £40,000 which was made available to protect the site after it was invaded by ravers last summer. Mr Taylor said: The site is currently vulnerable to invasion from gypsies. What we want is protection for this site such as earth bounds. Last year it cost the council £20,000 to clear the mess left by the ravers.
Councillors said an emergency response action plan which had been introduced recently would ensure that swift action was taken in the event of an invasion.
http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/
UK: Code tackles illegal raves – February 2001 Code tackles illegal raves
By thisislocallondon - Wednesday 21 February 2001
Copyright: thisislocallondon
A new protocol outlining the powers and responsibilities of the police and the council regarding raves was adopted this week.
The code of practise is based on intelligence gathering and a co-ordinated approach between authorities in dealing with and preventing such events.
If a rave is in its early stages, police can take any positive action in order to prevent the event from taking place.
Such action can include seizing sound equipment, blocking the entrances to the site and intensifying stop and search initiatives.
The document says: Where it is felt that such an event is causing, or likely to cause a breach of the peace, Kingston Police will endeavour to act in a robust and positive manner in order to combat serious instances of anti-social behaviour.
The protocol was produced as a result of a 48-hour rave held at Tolworth Court Farm last September which was attended by 2,000 people.
All vulnerable sites, such as open spaces and unoccupied buildings have been identified within the borough.
http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/
UK: Squatters invade Surbiton – February 2001 Squatters invade Surbiton
By thisislocallondon - Friday 09 February 2001
Copyright: thisislocallondon
Fears of a repeat of the Tolworth Court Farm rave grew last weekend as squatters moved onto Railway Tavern property, in Surbiton, on Friday.
But squatters, thought to be environmental activists, assured the police they were not going to hold a rave in the dilapidated building at the junction of Ewell Road and Lamberts Road, due to be demolished to make way for 19 flats.
A caravan was pushed into the carpark at the back of the boarded-up building and one was parked at the front ,but no lights have been seen on in the building itself.
This week also saw Surbiton councillors present their case to save the Wayside Gardens, at the back of the tavern, at a council meeting.
Councillor Dennis De Lord said he was concerned that the green space would be concreted over and lost forever as part of the development.
http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/
UK: Organisers vow raves will go on – January 2001 Organisers vow raves will go on
by This is Brigthon and Hove
Copyright: This is Brigthon and Hove
Rave organisers have vowed to continue holding illegal parties despite a crackdown by police. Three events were raided and shut down on New Year's Eve. But one organiser has pledged: "These events will not stop, even with a new intolerance policy from the police."
The two sides may now meet for "dialogue" on the issues. Police raided one rave in Shoreham and two in Hove while 1,000 people were enjoying New Year celebrations.
Superintendent Graham Cox, head of Hove and Shoreham police, said the venues, an underground car park and two factory buildings, were death traps and the Holland disco fire which killed 12 showed the kind of disaster police and other agencies feared. But Adrian Taylor, spokesman for Brighton United Systems which organised the New Year's rave in Fonthill Road, Hove, insisted there were trained first aiders on site and eight operational fire exits.
He said: "I am not sure on what grounds the police stopped this event because it was not by definition an illegal rave. it was in a fully-enclosed space, thus not contravening the 1994 Criminal Justice Act in respect of 'raves'.
"It is a shame, while admittedly some of these type of events do sail close to the wind on safety issues, this one in particular was well thought out and executed. The police, however, where blind to this and ruined the evening for many hundreds of people.
"May I wish all members of Hove and Shoreham police a very happy New Year and hope that one day they will actually start to realise that these events will not stop. The last ten years' experience points that way so perhaps a dialogue should be entered into."
Mr Cox said he would be happy to discuss the issues if the organisers contacted him. But he described the spokesman as "arrogant". He said the organisers were not qualified to decide what was safe or not and, he insisted, the venue was completely unsuitable.
He said: "They broke into a building that was just 20 yards from private homes. "If they want to hold a rave or party then they should do it properly and apply for a public entertainments licence."
http://www.thisisbrightonandhove.co.uk/
UK: Police attack J14-Survival party – December 2000 Police attack J14-Survival party
courtesy of Spar
[originally printed 12.04.00]
On the night of Saturday 2nd/Sunday 3rd December, an outbreak of violence marred an otherwise safe and peaceful party, near Amersham in Bucks. Who was this initiated by? Thames Valley Police of course!
The usual "containment" strategy that TVP use, to be seen to be doing something about free parties, was employed. Usually this involves one or two police cars blocking the entrance to the party, until they get too bored or too cold or get called away to attend to other matters, and then just showing up to see that the party is winding down without trouble late Sunday morning. Thistime, though, TVP seemed to have conjured-up some additional resources from somewhere or other - as they'd brought up a small army with them - you would think you were in a riot zone - not near a freeparty site!
I got there slightly late, having been to the J10/Fushion/Valley Moods party in Bekshire earlier that night - so much of the action happened before I arrived - but this post uses eyewitness reports, and information from one of the victims, as well as the J14-Survival crew, as well as what I saw myself.
I'd received a tip-off of the potential trouble ahead on the journey to Amersham, but was quite surprised by the level of police presence blocking the entrance to the road that the site was down. Several mounted police, a massive "mounted police" vehicle, several riot vans, two land rovers, and loadsa panda cars. I phoned a friend on site who told me of a back way in. This road too was blocked, but by a smaller (but still intimidating) police presence - One mounted unit, one van and a couple of pandas. Parked up the car about 1 mile away - in an area that wouldn't arouse suspicion. Got back on foot to the road leading to the alternate way in, one empty panda car. Up the road a bit more we see the site entrance, blocked by mounted police and several vehicles. Discuss with friends our chances of making our way across a muddy field to get around the pigs. Good thing we didn't try this strategy [see later], a bit further on found a tall hedge to creep around without being seen.
Got into the party about 3am. It turned out that a police helicopter had spent about 90 minutes flying low over the party site (which probably made more noise than the rig did!). Now for the nasty bit. Some folks *had* tried to make it in across the field, only to find that TVP had a dog unit, and the pigs unleashed their hounds on a group of 6 munters. The dogs took down several ppl, to be backed up by some thuggish ossifers, who laid into one of the blokes who was lying on the ground, still being savaged by the dog. Four ossifers joined their canine companion, booting the poor guy, whilst one pig repeatedly coshed him over the head with a torch. A small young woman tried to intervene, only for the pigs to start on her. They literally dragged her, kicking and screaming, across the field. I saw this girl later on the Sunday afternoon when she had been released. She was covered in bruises, and had some nasty cuff-burns on her wrists, where the police had twisted her arms up her back whilst she was cuffed. Apparently, she'd told them, at the point that the first ossifer had grabbed her, that she'd come quietly and peacefully - but they continued to beat her for some time. The police had removed their badges so that their numbers couldn't be taken. In total 5 or 6 people were arrested - for criminal damage (to the crops in this muddy field) caused by them peacefully walking across the field! Also police had been picking off cars around the party site, and searching them with dogs.
At one stage TVP threatened to raid the party and strip-search everyone on site, and the system crew barricaded themselves into the main party building (a barn with a hunting lodge attached to the side), to keep the pigs (and their dogs, that they'd brought up on site, to chase munters around the site with) out.
The police then eventually left - having failed to stop the party - and there was no sign of Babylon presence after about 5am - until they showed up again later in the morning. By this time the party had acquired a new cannon in its arsenal - a photography student rumoured to be from Reading, who was making a video documentary for her finals project. She began filming, and interviewing them (successfully bluffing them that she was an ITN journo!). At this stage the pigs attitude changed, and they backed off ... not to be seen again. The party finished at 4pm Sunday afternoon (it was starting to get dark ...) - and there was no police presence on the way out.
Its worth mentioning that the only trouble or violence at this party was that executed by Thames Valley Police. The crowd was a safe one, with lots of happy, friendly people, who just wanted to have a good party. Despite the police intimidation and violence (or perhaps, because of it?) this was a real banging party that had the dancefloor full until they switched the music off late Sunday afternoon, with everyone determined to make the best of it - and continue in defiance.
Be warned that if travelling to a freeparty - you are potentially at risk from stop-searches and even unprovoked police violence - if they have the resources, the police will attack, unprovoked, anyone in or around a party site. So much as walking across a field can be considered "criminal damage", which Thames Valley Police seem convinced warrants the use of extreme violence to prevent.
Article update 12.11.00:
"...of all the people who were arrested - all charges were subsequently dropped, asides from one who is now apparently being charged with public disorder and resisting arrest (the J14-Survival crew are keen to make contact with him, so that they can offer their support)...".
PLUR - Spar
Originally printed on uk.music.rave, many thanks Simon.
UK: Councillors in rage over Tolworth snub – November 2000 Councillors in rage over rave snub
By thisislocallondon - Friday 03 November 2000
Copyright: thisislocallondon
Angry councillors protested outside Parliament this week after a Government minister pulled out of a meeting to discuss the recent rave in Tolworth.
A delegation of Epsom councillors, politicians and residents had arranged to meet with Home Office minister Charles Clarke to seek assurances that a rave which kept thousands of residents in the north of the borough awake for two nights would not be repeated.
Residents were furious at Kingston Police's decision to contain rather than evict the 2,000 illegal ravers on Tolworth Court Farm at the start of September, whose music could be heard as far away as Ashtead.
Mr Clarke had agreed to meet the delegation on Wednesday, but councillors have been informed that he will now only meet with Sir Archie Hamilton MP behind closed doors.
Councillor George Crawford said last week: "We intend to be there for the meeting at 10am on Wednesday morning. Whatever happens, I'm certainly going up and we will at least make some sort of showing."
http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/
UK: MPs call for end to illegal raves after Tolworth TEKNIVAL – November 2000 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.
http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/
World: Goa shuns backpackers – October 2000 Goa shuns backpackers
BBC News - Wednesday, 18 October, 2000
Copyright: BBC News
The authorities in the Indian state of Goa - renowned as a destination for backpackers and ravers - are trying to attract a better class of tourist. The erstwhile Portuguese enclave was the world's hippie capital in the 1960s and 70s, when backpackers made a beeline for Goa's beaches.
We want wealthy tourists who can make a contribution to the state's economy said Deputy chief minister Narvekar.
But Deputy Chief Minister, Dayanand Narvekar, says they no longer want tourists who fly down in charter flights and stay in cheap hotels. "I have nothing against them. It's just that we want wealthy tourists who can make a contribution to the state's economy," he told the BBC. Mr Narvekar said hotel rates in some parts of Goa have crashed to less than 150 rupees ($4) a night because budget tourists just do not have the money to pay more.
Anjuna
As part of an effort to discourage backpackers and tourists on shoe-string budgets, local authorities last month announced the closure of the flea market on Goa's Anjuna beach. Started on Valentine's Day 25-years ago by an American hippie, Eddie Mazmaniam, Anjuna symbolised the carefree, hedonistic hippie lifestyle. The weekly flea market was often the last refuge of western tourists who ran out of money in Goa. They sold their tape-recorders, cassettes, guitars - sometimes even their underwear - to continue their Goan party. But over the years, Anjuna's flea market also became a haven for drug peddlers.
"The market was losing its old culture... and that could not have been tolerated," Mr Narvekar said. Claude Alvaris, a local journalist turned environment activist, heads a non-governmental organisation, the Goa Foundation. He says the flea market is increasingly becoming like any other weekend bazaar where petty Indian traders assemble to sell inexpensive but often fake goods. He supports the decision to discourage budget tourists. Is it sensible to snub and turn away the tourists we are getting now?
Sandesh Prabhudesai: "Goa wants to develop tourism as its main industry. Surely that cannot happen till you get the wealthy, upper-crust tourist. "And that class will not come to Goa [as long as] it enjoys the reputation of being a hippie joint where acid parties and raves are the order of the day," Alvaris said.
Rave crackdown
A temporary truce has now been reached between the authorities and the flea market traders. But officials warned they would not hesitate to shut down the market for ever if the drug problem continued. The move to shut down the Anjuna market had followed another order banning the playing of loud music after 10 at night.
Goa is popular with party goers
It came as a jolt to the local tourist industry - Goa is known for its late night revelry and dusk-to-dawn rave parties on the beach. "I understand the needs of tourism but the local population cannot be disturbed either," Goa chief minister, Francisco Sardinha reports quoted saying. Not all are in agreement with the government's attitude towards budget tourists.
Sandesh Prabhudesai, managing editor of a Goa-dedicated website said:"It's one thing to want to up-market tourists and nobody will disagree with the government on that. "But is it sensible to snub and turn away the tourists we are getting now?" he asked. He said the government should concentrate on eco-tourism and organise jungle safaris to attract well-heeled tourists to Goa.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/
UK: Residents kept awake all night as 2,000 enjoy 48 hour party – September 2000 'our weekend of rave hell' - Residents kept awake all night as 2,000 enjoy 48 hour party
By thisislocallondon - Wednesday 06 September 2000
Copyright: thisislocallondon
Police have come under fire from residents of Ewell, Stoneleigh and Worcester Park who suffered a "weekend of hell" from the sound of an illegal rave held more than two miles away.
The Met's decision not to forcibly evict the 2,000 New Age ravers in Chessington from Friday to Sunday evening has been criticised for putting property before people.
Residents woken by a thunderous noise at midnight on Friday initially assumed noisy neighbours were to blame for the beat - not realising the source was more than two miles away in Jubilee Way.
Those who contacted police were told only environmental health officers at Kingston Council had the power to act. Later it emerged that Met police agreed not to remove the ravers for fear of causing an outbreak of violence.
Weary residents were left with no choice but to seek respite in hotels or friends' homes - or turn up their own music or televisions to drown out the noise.
Sir Archie Hamilton MP and prospective Conservative parliamentary candidate Chris Grayling, have written to the Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir John Stevens expressing serious concerns about the way the police handled the event.
Mr Grayling said while Kingston may not have had enough resources, the Met should have been able to send more officers from elsewhere to the site.
He said: "It's absolutely outrageous the police were unable to deal with a huge illegal gathering of this kind."
But the acting head of Kingston police, Superintendent Keith Free, insisted he could have called in many more officers if necessary, but the police's non-confrontational strategy had been the right one: "We have had a safe and successful operation which was marred only by the noise situation.
"To eject them may well have resulted in violence and injury. The decision I took was the safest option - to allow them to continue and to monitor the situation.
He added: "There was always the threat they would move to empty places in the town centre."
Pensioner Betty Rich, who had to plug her ears until after 4.30am on Friday night, said feelings were running so high in Stoneleigh she feared residents would take matters into their own hands.
She said: "People were out both nights trying to find out where it was coming from - and when they get het up like that they might do something they regret."
Residents Association councillors representing the affected wards are demanding an explanation from Home Secretary Jack Straw when Parliament reassembles.
Ewell Court Councillor Jean Smith said police had put property before people by giving in to ravers' threats to move into Kingston town centre.
She said: "Residents of northern wards in Epsom and Ewell went through a weekend of hell, sleep was upset. Our anger was unassuaged."
The Met's decision not to evict the ravers has been met with fury by residents. Pictures by Mediaficient.
http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/
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