Around 300 attend illegal rave in Huddersfield while police in Birmingham break up 70 parties

Police break up illegal rave attended by 300 revellers in Huddersfield while officers in Birmingham are called to more than 70 parties: Organisers face £10,000 fines from next weekend

  • Birmingham Police were called to more than 70 unlicensed gatherings last night
  • One in Northfield, on the outskirts of the city, had two marquees as well as a DJ
  • Some 300 people attended an illegal rave in Deighton, Huddersfield yesterday
  • Missiles were thrown at police after they arrived to disperse partying crowds 

Police were pelted with missiles as they broke up a rave attended by 300 revellers in Huddersfield last night as officers in Birmingham were called to more than 70 parties on the last weekend before organisers face a £10,000 fine for setting up the gatherings.

Officers in Deighton, Huddersfield had missiles thrown at them after they tried to break up a gathering of more than 300 people on Saturday night.

Meanwhile in Birmingham, police were called to more than 70 parties – including one in Northfield which included two marquees and a DJ.

There were similar scenes in Campbell Park, Milton Keynes, last night, where crowds gathered. 

Reminding people of the need for social distancing, West Midlands Police tweeted: ‘Most people understand why we are doing this – stay safe – don’t risk spreading the virus.’

From Friday new powers will come into force meaning organisers of illegal raves can be fined.  

Police were called out to an illegal gathering in Northfield, near Birmingham, on Saturday 

The rave in Northfield was one of more than 70 reported gatherings in the West Midlands on Saturday night - ahead of new fines that will come into force from next Friday

The rave in Northfield was one of more than 70 reported gatherings in the West Midlands on Saturday night – ahead of new fines that will come into force from next Friday

People facilitating or organising illegal raves, unlicensed music events or any other unlawful gathering of 30 people or more may face a £10,000 fine.

Participants can continue to be issued with fines of £100, while those who have already been fined will see the amount double on each offence, up to a maximum of £3,200.

Metropolitan Police received information on more than 200 events across London in a single weekend, responding to more than 1,000 illegal events in the capital since the end of June.   

Police in Huddersfield broke up an illegal rave involving some 300 people.

West Yorkshire Police tweeted they were called to the gathering in Deighton, where missiles were thrown at officers.

Crowds were seen gathering around a DJ booth, with marquees also set up at a gathering in Campbell Park, Milton Keynes, last night

Crowds were seen gathering around a DJ booth, with marquees also set up at a gathering in Campbell Park, Milton Keynes, last night

Police said the music was ‘quickly turned off’ and the crowd was dispersed, a move ‘met by applause from local residents’. 

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said new fines were to be introduced for those hosting raves when he announced a further easing of England’s lockdown last week.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said: ‘These gatherings are dangerous and those who organise them show a blatant disregard for the safety of others.

‘I am pleased the police have already stepped up their response and I am giving them the tools they need to continue to keep us safe.

‘We will continue to crack down on the small minority who think they are above the law.’

Police were called to more than 70 illegal gatherings around Birmingham and the West Midlands on Saturday night

Police were called to more than 70 illegal gatherings around Birmingham and the West Midlands on Saturday night 

Fines for not wearing face coverings where it is mandated are also set to double for repeat offenders from Friday, starting at £100 and doubling to a maximum of £3,200 for each repeat offence.

The National Police Chiefs’ Council has warned that forces in England and Wales will continue to increase patrols heading into the bank holiday weekend.

Areas of concern, such as Leicester and Greater Manchester, have seen deployments larger than on New Year’s Eve, it said.

Commander Ade Adelekan, lead for unlicensed music events, said: ‘These events are hosted without regard for the safety of those attending, and police have observed cases of anti-social behaviour, sales of drugs and gang activity.

‘To the organisers of this sort of activity, I strongly advise that you seriously consider the risks you’re creating for everyone in attendance and the wider community.

‘There is a risk of prosecution for those who organise these events and equipment will be seized.’

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