Bill · started in the Commons
Criminal Justice (Raves) Bill
A Bill to amend the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 powers in relation to illegal raves
In progress
Current stage: 2nd reading (Commons)
The story so farThe Criminal Justice (Raves) Bill was introduced in the House of Commons on 20 February 2008 by Mr Christopher Fraser (Conservative). It is now at second reading in the House of Commons. Second reading is the first debate on the overall principle of the bill; if the bill clears it, detailed committee scrutiny follows.
What the bill does
<p>This Bill would strengthen the powers of the police to deal with raves. Currently, police can direct people to leave a rave, stop people on their way to one, and seize vehicles and sound equipment. The current provisions apply to gatherings of 20 or more where amplified music is played at night which ‘by reason of its loudness and duration and the time at which it is played is likely to cause serious distress to the inhabitants of the locality.’ This could be outdoors or, where people are trespassing, indoors.</p><p>The Bill would: </p><ul><li>amend the current legislation so that the powers would apply to music likely to cause distress by its loudness or its duration or the time at which it is played, rather than all three factors having to be taken into account </li><li>create new offences of organising a rave and transporting equipment for one </li><li>widen police powers to seize sound equipment and the powers of the court to forfeit it. <br></li></ul>
Progress through Parliament
- 1st reading Commons 20 Feb 2008
- 2nd reading Commons Current
Source: the official bill page. Last updated 30 Oct 2008.