Britain: New war against ravers

Britain: New war against ravers

15 June, 2007 | 1.32AM

• Written by: Terry Church
• Filed under: Music News: illegal rave, police

Raveophobia reached new heights in Britain last week, after local authorities issued a five-point plan to councils to fight illegal ravers. They are being urged to pay particular attention to Internet community sites like Myspace and ‘nu rave’ bands like the Klaxons, New Young Pony Club and Hot Chip to thwart would-be ravers.

In a particularly hostile statement, the Local Government Association (LGA) said that, ‘War will be waged against illegal ravers who cause irreparable damage to the countryside and ruin the lives of local residents whilst putting their own lives at risk.’

Describing nu rave as a ‘style of music that fuses elements of disco, electronic and punk’ the Association warned that, ‘Illegal raves could sweep the nation again this summer with many taking place around festivals days.’

No doubt Mrs. Tibbet in Sussex was scared shitless when she read about it in her Daily Mail over her morning tea.

The hysteria surrounding illegal raves is laughable – but the new five-point plan does have some common sense.

The LGA recommend in the first instance that ‘if an illegal event is being organised help the organisers apply for a temporary event licence on suitable land and within the confines of the law.’

Clearly after two decades of illegal raves, they’ve realised they can’t stop people from dancing.

So rather than crush an illegal rave with the cruel fist of the law, councils should look to set up designated sites for events.

Of course, “it depends what partygoers wish to do there and whether what goes on is acceptable or not” said Cllr Chris White, Chair of the Culture, Tourism and Sport Board at the LGA.

He continued, “Some raves are nothing more than a nuisance, but others pose a serious threat to the environment and to public safety.

“Many party-goers take dangerous chemical cocktails with limited access to the emergency services putting themselves and others at great risk.

“The impact of raves can be more than just a bit of noise and a minor disturbance…the effects on wildlife and farmland can be irreversible, causing financial and natural ruin as a result of land being littered with human waste and rubbish.”

Some councils are taking the threat of illegal raves more seriously than others - South Somerset District Council has already prevented 80 illegal events from taking place, and recently cops in East Anglia used a helicopter and dozens of officers to track suspected ravers.

Chris White concluded, “If they have nothing to hide, they [rave organisers] should talk to their council about putting on a legitimate event.

“But if their motives are less honourable then they will be dealt with by using the full force of the law.”

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