Illegal rave organisers have been stopped in their tracks following an investigation by Ealing Council and police in west London.
Action was taken by officers after complaints from local residents about 24-hour raves in Hanwell. Officers used a temporary CCTV camera as well as increased patrols to catch the culprits and stopped cars and vans getting into parks to set up sound systems by using concrete pillars to block the access.
Officers seized a marquee, a shopping trolley full of alcohol and one weapon during the operation. Information gathered during the investigation, including vehicle registrations and CCTV images of people who are thought to be involved, will be examined with a view to prosecuting those responsible under anti-rave legislation.
The council says that it is committed to stopping the raves and is urging anyone with additional information about them to report it immediately.
More raves may be planned to take place over the summer and residents can help prevent them from happening. The council want people to immediately report any suspicious activity such as vehicles being driven onto open spaces, groups of people gathering nearby or people forcing their way into parks.
Councillor Ranjit Dheer, cabinet member for community services and safety, said: โThe illegal raves have caused massive noise disruption, criminal damage to public and private property and have made the lives of local people a misery. Large entertainment events need to be licensed to protect the public. We will continue to take enforcement action against anyone caught breaking the law.โ
The council took action following complaints from residents about the unlicensed raves after they began in April, targeting two locations, Earl of Jersey Field and Well Meadow, Hanwell. Evidence was found of criminal damage, drug use and human excrement on the sites following the raves.
