Illegal Raves

Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Home Department – in the House of Commons at 2:30 pm on 9 July 2007.

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Photo of Henry Bellingham Henry Bellingham Shadow Minister (Justice) 2:30, 9 July 2007

The Minister will be aware that there was a time when raves were generally low-key, good-humoured events. During the past few weeks, there have been a number of illegal raves in my constituency where there has been substantial criminal damage and violence, a great deal of damage to property and the peddling of illegal drugs. The local police are fully stretched and are doing their best, but does he agree that the time has come for records of raves to be centrally recorded? The Government should look again at the powers the police have. Will he consider the matter urgently?