UK: Struggling farmers warned off rave rents – December 1999 Struggling farmers warned off rave rents
BBC News - Saturday, 18 December, 1999
Copyright: BBC News
Struggling farmers are being warned not to rent out their barns for illegal millennium raves. The Country Landowners Association says farmers could be offered cash for the use of buildings, but would then risk jail and heavy fines.
South and West Wales CLA regional director Jonathan Andrews has advised farmers to make sure any events - such as raves - are legally approved by the police and local authorities before agreeing to rent out buildings. "Farmers will enter the year 2000 burdened by the worst recession since the 1930s," he said.
"Many will be desperately trying to scrape together money to pay bills and stay in business as their incomes continue to decline and their costs continue to rise. "So a request to let an empty barn or shed for a millen-nium celebration could be greeted by some struggling enterprises as a much-welcome lifeline to help revive dwindling cash flow."
Mr Andrews said they are urging all farmers and landowners - who are approached by the organisers of planned millennium raves, concerts, musical events or parties - to make sure that these will be legally approved by the police and local authorities.
"An owner of an empty building who did yield to temptation...could be creating a grave risk of starting the 21st century in serious trouble with the authorities and being hit by another financial disaster. "If prosecuted offenders could face a maximum penalty of six months in prison and/or a £20,000 fine."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/
World: Goa millennium beach party banned – December 1999 Goa millennium beach party banned
BBC News - Friday, 24 December, 1999
Copyright: BBC News
The Indian state of Goa has banned a 10-day millennium beach party after fears of drug use and public nudity. Organisers of the non-stop rave, expected to attract some 25,000 people each day, have been told to put their plans on hold and were accused of breaking India's strict coastal environmental laws.
Acid parties are out. One can have fun without drugs.
The party was to take place on Goa's Anjuna beach, famous for its flea-markets and beach parties and a favourite of the hippies and backpackers of the 1960s and 70s. Goa's Chief Minister, Francisco Sardinha, told the AFP news agency that his administration would allow only "good clean fun". "Acid parties are out. Even when I was a young man, I did not go to such things. One can have fun without drugs," he said.
Controversy.
The event, billed as the biggest rave party in the world, ran into controversy when local newspapers accused the organiser of illegally occupying part of the beach to construct marquees and a multi-level dance floor.
Thousands were expected from around the world.
Organiser Jeh Wadia, the son of one of India's oldest and blue-blooded industrialists, was said to have illegally occupied land belonging to the government. Mr Wadia, the heir to the Bombay Dyeing textiles empire and a descendent of Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, had been organising Goa raves for years, for "lovers of techno, jungle, acid and Goa trance music". But lawyers for a local journalist, who filed a public interest petition against Mr Wadia, said he failed to seek permission from a host of government agencies before planning his event.
Mega event.
The tiny one-time Portuguese enclave of Goa has attracted tourists for years, seduced by its sunny beaches and promise of hedonism. I don't want to sound more Popish than the Pope but we will try and make drugs totally out of reach for anyone. The millennium rave had been planned at a beachside restaurant, the Paradiso de Anjuna, with a dance floor extending down to the beach, tattoo and body-painting tents, cyber cafe, bars and sports facilities. But Goa has also acquired a notorious reputation as a drug haven. Recently, local citizens have drawn attention to drug peddling and paedophilia.
Goa's chief minister says it would be hard to totally ban the drug trade. "I don't want to sound more Popish than the Pope, but we will try and make drugs totally out of reach for anyone," he said. "But I cannot say we will be 100% effective."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/
UK: Rave response ‘over the top’ – October 1999 Rave response 'over the top'
By thisisessex - Wednesday 13 October 1999
Copyright: thisisessex
The organiser of an illegal rave in Harwich hit back at claims his parties were a nuisance - and said the police response was over the top.
Police officers went to the rave at a war-time bunker off Barrack Lane after reports of a reveller with an air pistol.
But the organiser, who lives in the Tendring area and is known as Swampy, said yesterday that the pistol was owned by a boy who was not connected with the party.
He added when the pistol was found by party-goers it was taken off the boy and thrown away.
The organiser added the incident happened at 9pm on Saturday, but the police armed response unit did not arrive until 13 hours later.
Police said around 50 people were there, but the organiser claimed numbers were between 150 and 200.
Police said the event, which was yards from the police station, had passed off peacefully.
But the organiser, who admitted his event was totally illegal, said: "A lot of money was put out for policing that was unecessary. It was a little bit over the top and they left it a little bit late."
The man added the parties had to be illegal as permission would not be given for them.
"There's no way this council would permit us to have an all-night music licence in the area," he said. The parties are promoted by word of mouth and at other illegal parties.
http://www.thisisessex.co.uk/
UK: Rave over at last as 700 leave after 2 days – October 1999 Rave over at last as 700 leave after 2 days
By thisislondon - 25 October 1999
Copyright: thisislondon
As a two-day illegal rave at a derelict building finally ended this morning, people living nearby called on Westminster council to seal the premises to prevent a repetition.
Fearing a violent response if they tried to break up the party where 700 people were dancing to techno music, police were forced to stand by and watch, despite complaints from dozens of sleepless pensioners living within 300 feet of the Paddington site.
The party, which began on Saturday night, eventually wound up at around 5am today. All that remained was a sea of cans and bottles across the building's floors and anarchist slogans daubed on the walls. The doors were left open, leading residents to fear the party's organisers planned to return for more.
Ellen Papworth, 62, who lives opposite the building on the Harrow Road roundabout, said: "I have been awake since 3am on Sunday. The kids were falling all over the place as they came out. The police said that if they went in there and threw them out, the kids would be on the streets. One of the officers asked if that was what we really wanted. He was right. What if they had gone around smashing up cars or damaging property? But now they have left, surely the council must do something to make sure they cannot get back in."
The council was still considering its response this morning.
At the height of the party, a noise pollution spokesman said: "We had numerous complaints so we went in. As there was no one in charge, we served a notice to the DJ telling him to pack it in. We then called the police at Paddington but they said it was totally dark in there and that, because it was a derelict place with bricks, bottles and metal bars that the crowd could use as weapons, it would be inflammatory for them to go in. We couldn't stop the thing without police protection."
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/
UK: All-night rave yards from police station – October 1999 All-night rave yards from police station
By thisisessex - Monday 11 October 1999
Copyright: thisisessex
An illegal all-night rave was held yards from Harwich Police Station.
Ravers partied through the night at a war-time bunker on land off Barrack Lane - about 100 metres from the station's front door.
The sound system began pumping out dance tracks on Saturday night and the last of the revellers were not partied out until 10am yesterday.
Neighbours complained about noise and the possibility of drugs being sold. And there was a claim one raver had an air pistol with him.
A firearms unit was sent to the rave and a search was made but no weapon was found.
Sgt Andy Hook said the event passed off peacefully but he said the police had been given no notice of the event.
Sgt Hook said: "There was a suggestion somebody there had a firearm and our firearms unit was contacted but it all went off peacefully."
Police said up to 50 people attended the event.
Sgt Hook added: "We had no notice of it, the information came from members of the public that at about midnight or 1am there was a rave going on."
It is thought the organisers were from London but they have not been traced.
Some neighbours had complained of noise disturbance but Sgt Hook said while there was some noise it was not "hideous".
There were also claims that drugs were being sold at the party but police said they had no evidence that was the case.
http://www.thisisessex.co.uk/
UK: Police raid halts drugs party at former school – August 1999 Police raid halts drugs party at former school
By thisishampshire - Monday 02 August 1999
Copyright: thisishampshire
RAVERS planning an illegal drugs party at a derelict Southampton school had their rooftop hideaway raided by police.
Officers found the walled roof terrace transformed into a rave venue complete with sound system and makeshift chill-out area.
Controlled drugs were also seized in Saturday's raid, codenamed Operation Ferrier, at the former Eastern District Council school in Anglesea Terrace.
The special operation followed a noisy party the previous weekend, when dance music spread across the city centre as far as St Denys.
Operational commander Sergeant Paul Rowsell said: "We had information that another event was planned for Saturday night where controlled drugs were likely to be offered for sale.
"Our concerns related to the drugs issue as well as the disturbance for local residents and the personal safety of anyone who attended. It is a derelict building with a wealth of possible hazards.''
No-one was inside at the time of the bust but three men were later arrested at the scene.
Two local men aged 27 and 31, believed to have been the rave organisers, were kept in custody overnight.
The pair were later released but police inquiries were continuing.
A third man aged 27 had been warned for possession of cannabis.
http://www.thisishampshire.co.uk/
UK: Stonehenge Visits Cancelled – June 1999 Stonehenge Visits Cancelled
BBC News - Monday, June 21, 1999
Copyright: BBC News
English Heritage has withdrawn permission from hundreds of Druids to spend the summer solstice at Stone-henge following clashes between police and New Age travellers. The conservation body, which owns and looks after the 5,000-year-old monument, said that although the stones had not been damaged and no one was injured, the situation was "too unpredictable". A spokeswoman added that it did not want to risk the safety of a second group. "Certainly, after the events of last night, the groups and individuals we have been dealing with have been understanding, but obviously they are disappointed," she said. Nearly 100 people taking part in a Stonehenge Peace Process walk from Woodhenge had been due to end up at the circle at about 7pm.
Stonehenge is a focal point for people celebrating the summer solstice. The 150 people allowed onto the ancient site in Wiltshire on Sunday, including Druids and astrologers, had to abandon their solstice rituals. They were disturbed by about 200 New Age travellers, who broke down fences early on Sunday morning and rushed towards the ancient site. Some were seen dancing on top of the stones. About 100 police officers with protective clothing and riot shields - some on horseback - arrested 20 people for aggravated trespass, two for assaulting police and one for drugs offences.
Robert Hall reports: "Tonight police are on the alert once more". One policeman and a number of travellers are under-stood to have been injured in the disturbance. A security cordon has now been set up. About 1,000 Druids, hippies, travellers and sightseers were at the site on Salisbury Plain to watch the start of Britain's longest day. Andy Hollingshead, Superintendent of the Wiltshire Police, said authorities planned a large presence on Monday night to enforce the order barring anyone from getting near the site. "We realise the stones are a tourist site of great beauty and this will obviously detract from this, but we have to take measures to prevent what happened this morning happening again," he said.
'Sex, drugs and rock'n'roll'
But Kevin Carlyon, head of the British White Witches, claimed he had warned police there would be riots at Stonehenge, and had decided not to visit despite having permission. "We sent police eight pages down-loaded from a Website, which talked of a big rave organised at Stonehenge," he said. He criticised the re-vellers' behaviour, saying: "It should be a place of worship. It is not for sex, drugs and rock'n'roll." English Heritage had believed that limited access would help defuse tension and prevent some of the trouble seen in recent years.
English Heritage's Director of Stonehenge, Clews Everard: "It's been a very grim night". Its director of Stonehenge, Clews Everard, said a small group of people had ruined the organisers' hard work. She said they had wanted to make the last summer solstice celebrations before the millennium "special". "These people were not celebrating the solstice," she said. "What they were doing had nothing to do with spirituality, they're just a minority that has ruined it for the majority." But reveller Simon Sturrit, 31, said people who had gained access to the site had caused no trouble or violence.
Solstice at Seahenge
The youth hostel worker said: "English Heritage feels that people aren't allowed on the site but early this morning we all managed to gain access and just had a good time." But some Druids did manage to welcome the sunrise at another prehistoric monument - the circle of oak trees known as Seahenge. It recently emer-ged from the sea off the Norfolk coast. A dozen "earth people" sang sacred chants while one of them drew a diagram of the summer and winter solstices in the sand. "We very much hope there will not be more pro-blems," the English Heritage spokeswoman said.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/
UK: Top rave club loses licence – December 1998 Top rave club loses licence
By thisislondon - 18 December 1998
Copyright: thisislondon
London's top rave club, Bagley's, has lost its licence after flouting health and safety rules.
Police were also concerned it had turned into a major venue for drug users.
The King's Cross club, which attracts crowds of up to 4,000 every weekend, has recently been plagued with problems.
Documents seen by the Evening Standard reveal a long list of complaints to police about Bagley's over the past 18 months.
Police have been called to the area more than 200 times since June last year, dealing with 109 drugs offences and numerous violent incidents.
On a "fetish night" a fire exit was blocked with whipping posts. Safety fears by Camden council and local police led council officers to refuse renewal of its licence and to turn down a late licence for New Year's Eve.
Last month the club was fined £10,000 and ordered to pay Camden £6,000 costs by Highbury magistrates after admitting 27 breaches of licensing conditions.
A young clubber also claimed he was assaulted by the club's bouncers. Bruce Brian says he needed hospital treatment for a broken jaw after the alleged assault on 29 November, although club owners said video footage on the night did not show any evidence of a fight.
In August a random police check on 20 clubbers arriving at Bagley's and neighbouring dance venue The Cross revealed that all were carrying Class A drugs.
Ernest James, the chairman of Camden's licensing committee, said: "It was clear from the club's evidence at our hearing that there was complete indifference and a lack of concern for safety at the venue."
A spokesman for Bagley's refused to comment ahead of a company meeting.
However, it is understood the club will appeal against the decision. Organisers claim they were not given enough time to prepare for the hearing and thought they had met Camden's concerns.
The club has 21 days in which to appeal. If it does so it can remain open until the appeal is heard, which is likely to be in April.
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UK: Police halt rave party on Oxford meadow – August 1998 Police halt rave party on meadow
By thisisoxfordshire - Tuesday 11 August 1998
Copyright: thisisoxfordshire
Police and environmental health officers stopped a rave on Port Meadow after complaints in north Oxford.
They were called in the early hours of Sunday when the rave started about 250 yards from the end of Walton Well Road, Jericho.
An hour later, the organisers packed up and left after being told they could be served with a noise abatement notice and have their equipment seized.
Richard Atherton, the assistant city environmental health officer, said: "Wisely, they chose to stop and were escorted off the site.
"As the equipment was being driven away people were still arriving.
"We don't want to stop people enjoying themselves, but that doesn't give them the right to cause a noise nuisance."
Three weeks ago, police and environmental health officers raided a rave at the LMS station and seized speakers, amplifiers and a collection of records to enforce a noise abatement notice.
Oxford City Council has powers to seize stereo systems and magistrates can ensure that they are not returned.
The equipment is then either destroyed if it has no value or sold to cover costs. It is only returned after the costs of the seizure have been paid.
http://www.thisisoxfordshire.co.uk/
UK: Raver cuts wrists at roadblock – August 1998 Raver cuts wrists at roadblock
By thisisoxfordshire - Tuesday 25 August 1998
Copyright: thisisoxfordshire
A dance-fan trying to get to an illegal rave party in south Oxfordshire slashed his wrists with a large carving knife when he was stopped by traffic police.
The man in his 20s, who has not been named, mutilated himself when officers, who suspected he was a drink-driver, stopped him at a roadblock at 12.30am on Sunday.
He was treated by paramedics and is now recovering in the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford.
Minutes before, officers at the road-block, near Scutchamer Knob, near East Ginge, Wantage, had to dive out of the way when another car, also heading for the rave, failed to stop. The officers were not injured and chased the vehicle, which crashed. Its occupants fled, but were not caught.
The incidents happened during a police operation to stop rave organisers setting up a unannounced dance party at sites along the Ridgeway.
Insp Paul Kirkland, of Wantage police, said organisers first targeted a car park at White Horse Hill, but abandoned their plans when officers stopped them reachingfrom using local roads leading to the site.
The ravers repeated their efforts at Scutchamer Knob and were again prevented from setting up sound systems and starting the party by police. The rave eventually took place on the Ridgeway at Five Ways, near Cholsey, and attracted hundreds of people, before dispersing in the morning. It passed off without further trouble.
Police used a helicopter during the operation but no-one was arrested.
Insp Kirkland said the Ridgeway's wide open spaces made it a target for illegal ravers, but said officers were drafted in from other areas on Sunday and the operation went well.
He said: "The long and short of it is we were successful in disrupting the rave. This type of illegal event has the potential to cause severe disruption to the local community.
"The message has to be clear that We will use all the power available to us to prevent this sort of thing getting established and anybody who tries to still come here will run the risk of their equipment being seized and being arrested."
http://www.thisisoxfordshire.co.uk/
UK: Four held after rave at Oxford LMS site – July 1998 Four held after rave at LMS site
By thisisoxfordshire - Monday 20 July 1998
Copyright: thisisoxfordshire
Four people were arrested after riot police broke up an illegal rave at the LMS building near Oxford railway station.
Officers moved in at 7.30am yesterday after residents complained of being kept awake by thumping music.
Police seized drugs, knives and a Chinese 'rice flail' martial arts weapon after clashes with party-goers.
Complaints, including calls from guests at the nearby Royal Oxford Hotel, began flooding in at around midnight on Saturday.
An environmental health officer from Oxford City Council served organisers with a notice to stop the music at 12.30am.
But at 4.30am the party continued and the environmental health officers requested police help under the Environmental Protection Act.
Officers in riot gear moved in to seize the sound system and in reportedly violent scenes that followed, four people were arrested.
An Oxford police spokesman said: "This was a very disruptive party. There was clear evidence of drug misuse and a quantity of substances as well as knives and a rice flail were recovered by police."
Newspaper delivery man Bill Bowell, of Bridge Street, Osney, saw the police raid.
He said: "The music was ever so loud. It woke up everybody. There were about four police vans and four cars and officers wearing riot gear. Two guys got away by hiding in the chimney pot on the top of the building."
Four people are being questioned.
Protesters have occupied the listed former station building since May. Last week, councillors granted permission for the building to be dismantled to make way for a road widening scheme and the new Oxford University business school.
http://www.thisisoxfordshire.co.uk/
UK: Welcome to the pleasure dome – June 1997 Welcome to the pleasure dome
By thisislancashire - Thursday 26 June 1997
Copyright: thisislancashire
POLICE officers in Morecambe will be bracing themselves for the resort's first all night rave at the Dome this Friday. Coach loads of more than a 1,000 ravers are expected to descend on Morecambe in an event which will see people partying from 8pm until 6am. Insp Graham Richardson said he was extremely concerned about the event following the recent riot along Morecambe prom which left four police officers injured and led to the arrest of 14 drunken revellers. Despite strong objections from the police, the Dome was given a licence to hold two all nighters for a trial period back in May. Now, permission to hold a further six dawn raves depends on what happens this Friday.
A special meeting with licensee bosses at Lancaster City Council has already been organised to report back on the night's events.
Gary Robinson, of ArdshokK which is organising the event, told the Citizen he was confident the night would run smoothly.
"We're working with the authorities, there will be medics on the door and security checks in place to make sure there's no trouble. If Friday goes well I don't see why we should not be granted a license for the rest of the year."
People from all the over the country are expected to take part in the hard-core rave because so few venues elsewhere in the country are granted all night licences.
"There'll be people from Liverpool, Bradford, Leeds, Derbyshire and Milton Keynes. It is a good way of attracting young people to Morecambe. There are thousands of people who go to raves and if we aren't given a licence to hold them then they will be pushed underground and become less safe. At the moment we have medics, stick to regulations and work with the local authorities."
Police raised objections to dawn raves because of the demands on resources and potential drug problems.
Insp Richardson said: "I object to policing raves on the grounds that I do not have sufficient resources to deal with anything that might happen."
http://www.thisislancashire.co.uk/
UK: Baby boppers! – May 1997 Baby boppers!
By thisislancashire - Thursday 15 May 1997
Copyright: thisislancashire
HUNDREDS of teenagers danced the night away at a baby rave for under 18s.
Energetic youngsters raved to happy hardcore tracks played by top named DJs including Vibes, Babylee and Freestripe at The Mill on Aqueduct Street, Preston on Friday evening (May 2).
Organiser David Hyde said: "It was a brilliant night, everyone loved it. Our next event is on May 16".
And on Saturday afternoon (May 3) youngsters partied away to the sounds of new chart sensations Alibi at a Rock FM teen disco.
Hosted by top DJs Rob Charles and Glenn Hunt, the event at Squires nightclub, Preston, attracted over 500 teenagers.
Rock FM's Paul Jordan said: "We never really do anything for the youngsters and they're an important part of our audience."
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UK: What’s the story morning glory? – May 1997 What's the story morning glory? Dawn raves planned for Dome
By thisislancashire - Thursday 15 May 1997
Copyright: thisislancashire
COUNCIL chiefs swept aside police fears and voted to stage two all night rave parties in Morecambe it emerged this week. Licensing bosses gave permission to hold raves until 6am at Morecambe Dome in May and June despite strong police objections. Originally party organisers applied for permission to hold a series of eight events throughout the summer. But the go-ahead has been given for just two on a trial period and under police surveillance.
Cllr Shirley Burns, of the Licensing Service Group, said: "We have to give these things a try. Drugs is a problem wherever you go, unfortunately even outside schools. If there are any serious problems with drugs then the parties will be stopped straight away."
In the past police objected to dawn rave parties because of noise nuisance, the demand on police resources and potential drug problems.
At a dawn rave last October,10 wraps containing illegal drugs, packed in the same newspaper, were discovered and police suspected a drug dealer had been operating at the event.
But David Hoyle, managing director of the Bubbles Complex which runs Morecambe Dome, said he was pleased with the council's decision.
He said: "There will be security procedures in place, everyone going in will be searched, we provide a safe dancing environment and comply with the Home Office regulations to provide free water."
Sarah Hadaway, solicitor for Lancaster City Council, said: "A special meeting will be held in July and there will be a report back from the police to see how the events in May and June went. Then the group will make a decision on the rest of the licence application."
The presence of CCTV cameras in the resort is also expected to help police keep track of events.
http://www.thisislancashire.co.uk/
UK: Drug warning on late-night clubs – December 1996 Drug warning on late-night clubs
By thisislancashire - Monday 02 December 1996
Copyright: thisislancashire
POLICE fear nightclubs opening late until 4am will encourage drug abuse and put a strain on police resources.
They opposed an application by Kazy's Bar, Darwen, for permission to hold all-night discos on Saturdays. But Blackburn Council's licensing committee agreed the club could open until 4am.
The decision comes just months after Club Euro, Blackburn, was given permission to stay open until 4am at weekends.
The licensing committee was told there would not be enough officers to control crowds in Wellington Fold if the club got permission to stay open throughout the night.
And the police said they believed the drugs problem in the borough would be made worse if Kazy's bar was given permission to stay open later .
Sergeant Geoff Rowbottom of Blackburn police said: "Superintendent Eddie Walsh has asked me to bring to the attention of the committee the great deal of concern in the borough about drugs.
"There is particular concern about the use of drugs in the borough's clubs and pubs." He added: "We are not naive enough to think that people will not take drugs when drinks stopped being served after 2am.
"The number of police officers in Darwen would not be enough to cope with the levels of people that would be attracted by an all-night club.
"Police officers would have to be drawn in from other areas to cope with the extra demands created if the application was approved."
Andrew Wright, the Chorley-based owner of the club, spoke at the licensing hearing.
He claimed Kazy's would have to stay open until Sunday morning to be able to compete with other clubs in the area.
Mr Wright said: "We are not trying to run a rave disco at the club. This is not an illegal party but a properly organised club.
"We have an agency from Manchester to control security at the club and we have been here for ten years."
He added: "We are not trying to attract out-of-town people. We want local Darwen people to come to the club.
"If we want to compete with other clubs we have to stay open through Saturday night.
"When the bar closes at 2am we would serve hot drinks, meals and soft drinks to keep people going."
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