North End man hits back at 'rave' policy
A RAVE-goer has hit back at Norfolk Police's zero-tolerance policy on illegal gatherings claiming robust efforts to shut them down are a waste of resources.
Marcus Brown (21), of Lynn's North End, was one of 400 revellers who attended the illegal rave in Feltwell last weekend which was brought to an end by a large number of police units and the force helicopter.
But he believes the additional resources invested in such crackdowns far outweighs the cost of a clear-up operation after events and is now calling for a compromise to be reached which would see the raves continue safely.
Mr Brown told the Lynn News: "We do not go out to cause trouble. We are there to have a good time, not to disturb people.
"Obviously we are on other people's land and I respect farmers' views but the only time there is trouble is when the police come in heavy-handed.
"I cannot see why they waste resources on this. There must be a significant difference between the cost of clearing up and the cost of shutting a rave down."
Mr Brown has been attending illegal raves for around four years and said organisers chose isolated locations to avoid causing a disturbance and that efforts are always made to clear up afterwards.
He added: "The Feltwell rave was four or five miles away from any house. There may have been some litter left behind but it is not a disturbance.
"If you go to a nightclub it costs 5 to get in and 3 for a drink. These are free parties put on for the community, everyone gets together and looks out for one another."
Mr Brown said the Norfolk rave scene has enjoyed a boom in recent years with gatherings held regularly each week.
He added: "I honestly think there is no stopping these events as so many people go along to enjoy themselves.
"There might be some kind of compromise with a land owner who has an old barn or land we could use. We would be willing to sit down and talk about it."
Mr Brown's comments have come in the same week that South West Norfolk MP Christopher Fraser introduced a new bill in the Commons aimed at increasing police powers to tackle illegal raves.
The bill would make it an offence to organise a rave and transport sound equipment for use at such an event.
Mr Fraser said: "The countryside is not a theme park and its residents have every right to protection under the law.
"I am sure that those who attend these unlicensed events enjoy themselves enormously, but that enjoyment comes at a very high cost to those living in the area. This is not a victimless crime."
Email to a friend
Print this page Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Local pages
Looking for a...
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Kings Lynn
Thursday 02 September 2010
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North east
