Christopher Fraser, MP for South West Norfolk, has welcomed developments towards legislative change that would assist the policing of raves and illegal music events.
Christopher Fraser said: “My Private Members Bill on Raves was due for debate in the House of Commons today. When I last met Vernon Coaker MP, the Home Officer Minister with responsibility for the issue, he promised to contact the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) regarding progress made by their working group on raves. He also forwarded my draft legislation to them.
“Vernon Coaker has now told me that ACPO have confirmed that they support a review of legislation, and believe there are a number of ways in which the police service can improve its response to the rave problem. ACPO share my view that additional powers are needed to deter unlicensed music events from taking place, to stop them when they are happening, and to target the vast profits which are being earned by the organisers.
“ACPO has provided the Home Office with a detailed discussion document. In the light of this progress, I have accepted an invitation from the Minister to meet him and ACPO to discuss the way forward, to ensure long-term sustainability of any legislative change. The Second Reading of my Bill has therefore been postponed to a later date so that I can sit down and talk through the detail with them.
“I am delighted that my efforts have prompted the Government to address a very real problem in Norfolk. It is clear that all interested parties now accept that more effective legislation is needed. I shall keep up the pressure to ensure that this is implemented and on the Statute Book at the earliest opportunity.” |