What makes a rave illegal? Revellers arrested over Easter weekend party in Exmoor

Illegal raves can be disruptive and dangerous, leading to police sometimes getting involved
There are certain rules around raves that must be adhered to. (Nick Ansell/PA)
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Rachael Davies2 April 2024

Avon and Somerset Police were called to an illegal rave in Exmoor at the weekend after hundreds of people congregated at the unlicensed music event.

Starting at around 6am on Sunday, March 31, the event attracted several hundreds of people, with one eyewitness describing it as “completely out of control”.

Local police officers were sent to the scene and spent time “engaging with members of the public and providing community reassurance", according to an official police statement.

Residents in the area told ITV that their houses had been surrounded by people attending the event, which was believed to be planned to last until the end of Monday, April 1. Vans were reportedly blasting music near their homes.

While some residents felt that police didn’t do enough to bring the rave to an end, what are police powers in cases like this? Here’s a closer look at what an illegal rave is and what can be done.

What is an illegal rave?

There are such things as illegal raves, known as Unlicensed Music Events (UMEs) under section 63 (1) Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.

The definition reads: "A gathering on land in the open air of 20 or more persons (whether trespassers or not) at which amplified music is played during the night (with or without intermissions) and is such as, by reason of its loudness and duration and time at which it is played, likely to cause serious distress to the inhabitants of the locality".

The term can also be used to refer to groups of 20 or more people trespassing on land that isn’t open, such as a building, to host a rave or event where amplified music plays at night.

In the case of the rave in Exmoor, the number of people well exceeded 20 people and reportedly disrupted local residents, without the proper licenses or permissions to do so.

"UMEs are unlawful, unregulated events,” said Sussex Police in a public statement. “Many organisers pay little or no regard to the safety, security and welfare of those attending.

“Sites have no facilities for the very basic needs such as toilets or water. There is no clear organiser in charge, medical provision, stewarding, security or regulations.

"They also include the risk of localised disruption to communities and the risk of crime (drugs, alcohol-related violence, anti-social behaviour, public order etc.) as well as the risk to public confidence in policing."

Why are raves illegal?

It’s for these reasons of public disruption and safety that raves are made illegal. Unsanctioned events without proper organisation can put both non-participating locals and those in attendance at risk, especially when alcohol or other substances are involved.

Police officers therefore have specific powers contained under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 to break up raves and UMEs.

The first step, as evidenced in the police activities in Exmoor, is to liaise with landowners, the Local Authority, such as specifically the Environmental Health Officer (EHO), and, if needed, the Fire and Rescue Service and Ambulance service.

Fines or fixed penalty notices may be issued where appropriate, as well as the seizing of sound and music equipment.

In the past, London has also seen UMEs, with the most recent taking place just a few weeks ago in Marylebone.

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