David Hearn’s letter (Wednesday’s Oxford Mail) about last weekend’s rave at Cassington drew my sympathy.
I had a similar experience in another part of the country. However, the licensing laws around these events are not as clear cut as he seems to think.
These events are not “officially sanctioned” or licensed by police. The organisers only have to give notice that the event is happening.
Unless the police can prove that crime will be increased by the event, (and they have only 48 hours to put their case together after the notice is served) then there is nothing they can do to stop it.
During the event, the police can only shut the event down due to criminal activity.
Environmental health officers do, however, have the power to shut it down on grounds of noise – which it seems they didn’t in this case for some reason. And they would be able to use complaints received this time as evidence to block any future notice to stage a similar event.
James Cousins, Corn Street, Witney
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