Commenting on a rave near Swaffham, Christopher Fraser, MP for South West Norfolk, said:
“I was very concerned to hear about the rave on farm land near Cockley Cley. I have no doubt that those who attend raves enjoy the experience enormously, but they do so without consideration for those living in the surrounding area and without any concern for the damage they might cause to farmland, livestock and the environment.
I know how hard landowners and farmers in the area have been working with the Police to try and stop these unlicensed and highly disruptive events while they are being set up, and I pay tribute to the Farmwatch organisation in particular for its work in raising awareness of what must be done.
It is clear however that there is a pressing need for a shake up of legislation governing illegal raves. If these events are going to be properly policed and situations such as the rave in Cockley Cley are to be avoided, we must ensure that the police have the proper tools and resources to do their job. At the moment they have neither.
I will be meeting with the Chief Constable of Norfolk, and will be discussing the issue with him. I have written to the Speaker of the House of Commons to request a slot for an urgent Debate on unlicensed music events, and I am calling on the Government to address the loopholes that rave organisers are exploiting. Parliament must act to ensure that the police and local authorities do not have their hands tied when trying to protect the law-abiding majority from such thoughtless and anti-social behaviour.” |