Some of us have been involved for years in opposition to progress of laws ranged against us and our activities. I come from a free festival and traveller background. Surprisingly to many, I also worked as an accident ambulanceman in the London Ambulance Service. I worked for ‘Release’ a drug and welfare organisation and helped set up the ‘Festival Welfare Services’ and the ‘Travellers Aid Trust’ charities that helped to provide medical, social and legal advice services to those attending events. Those that the state excluded and made no provision for. We also felt that we should try to do many of these things for ourselves. DiY.
At the Beanfield / Stonehenge 1985 and many other events before, the police were able to ‘deal with us’ by means of High Court Injunctions. These were temporary bits of law that judges provided the police with a ‘legal cloak’ to provide cover for their operations.
The tory government at the time, then passed the Public Order Act 1986, enacted in 1987.
Section 39 of that act says:
Power to direct trespassers to leave land.
(1)If the senior police officer reasonably believes that two or more persons have entered land as trespassers and are present there with the common purpose of residing there for any period, that reasonable steps have been taken by or on behalf of the occupier to ask them to leave and—
(a)that any of those persons has caused damage to property on the land or used threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour towards the occupier, a member of his family or an employee or agent of his, or
(b)that those persons have between them brought twelve or more vehicles on to the land, he may direct those persons, or any of them, to leave the land.
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1986/64/section/39/enacted
Thus a new criminal offence for a being a trespasser on land and not to leave it after being ordered to by police.
The Home Office had stated: “That the clause was a response to the `problems’ of new age travellers and that the power is not aimed primarily at Gypsy groups”.
Yea right!
All of this resulted in the virtual end of the Free Festivals, through 1987 …. and onwards. Some disagree with me, but a ‘second wave’ of events then started.
If section 39 says that we may not ‘reside there’. What if we don’t reside there, but stay up all night and ‘make a racket’ ?? 🙂 …. thus, the beginnings of the Free Party Scene. A new style developed getting round the law. It is obvious though, that many of the same people with the same tackle from the festivals were instigators in the party events. Many of us felt more optimistic at these events, since towards the end of the 80s things were getting bad on the festival circuit and simply turning into a refugee column. Then raves revitalised the scene
Political attention, once again, was now targeted against these new impromptu rave events, resulting in the Entertainment (Increased Penalties) Act 1990. Introduced by John Majors Personal Private Secretary, Graham Bright, this private members bill brought in massive fines of up to £20,000 for the organisers of unlicensed events. Once again this legislation had a dramatic effect on the free festival/rave scene, pushing event organisation into the hands of large commercial promoters with the necessary sums required to pay for licences and policing.
Entertainments (Increased Penalties) Act 1990
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1990/20/section/1/enacted
The second chapter of all this, starts from the first resurgence of a large event at Castlemorton at the base of Malvern Hills in May 1992.
Leaked documents from Avon and Somerset Constabulary demonstrated the existence of Operation Nomad. Force Operational Order 36/92 marked `In Confidence’, revealed:
“With effect from Monday 27th April 1992, dedicated resources will be used to gather intelligence in respect of the movement of itinerants and travellers and deal with minor acts of trespass. Resources will be greatly enhanced for the period Thursday 21st May to Sunday 24th May inclusive in relation to the anticipated gathering of Travellers in the Chipping Sodbury area.”
As a result the thousands of people travelling to the area for the expected Festival were shunted into neighbouring counties by Avon and Somerset’s Operation Nomad police manoeuvres. West Mercia Police were overwhelmed by the arrival of upwards of 30,000 folks. Many were in the area already because of our tradition of having the a free festival around Inglestone / Sodbury Commons in Avon, around the May Bank Holiday.
So, again, the tory government thought we can’t have all this and the Home Secretary of the time, Michael Howard said at the Conservative Party conference that he promised grass-roots supporters the most comprehensive programme of action ever launched against crime. Listing 27 measures, Mr Howard said: “In the last 30 years, the balance in the criminal justice system has been tilted too far in favour of the criminal and against the protection of the public. The time has come to put that right. I want to make sure that it is criminals that are frightened, not law-abiding members of the public.”
The outcry following Castlemorton provided the basis for the most draconian law yet levelled against alternative British culture. Just as the Public Order Act 1986 followed the events at Stonehenge in 1985, so the Criminal Justice and Public Order Bill began its journey in 1992, pumped with the manufactured outrage following Castlemorton. By the time it reached statute two years later, it included criminal sanctions against assembly, outdoor unlicensed music events, unauthorised camping, and `aggravated trespass’. The law also reduced the number of vehicles which could gather together from twelve (as stipulated in the Public Order Act 1986) to six.
The more famous section was their effort in trying to get a legal definition of what they mean.
Section 63. Powers to remove persons attending or preparing for a rave
(1)This section applies to a gathering on land in the open air of [F120] or more persons (whether or not trespassers) at which amplified music is played during the night (with or without intermissions) and is such as, 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; and for this purpose—
(a)such a gathering continues during intermissions in the music and, where the gathering extends over several days, throughout the period during which amplified music is played at night (with or without intermissions); and
(b)“music” includes sounds wholly or predominantly characterised by the emission of a succession of repetitive beats.
Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1994/33/section/63
a group of “ten or more persons” waiting for “such a gathering to begin there,” will find themselves being asked to “leave the land and remove any vehicles or property,” they happen to be in possession of on the land. Police officers of at least the rank of superintendent, were granted permission to make arrests and seize equipment.
Looking back at the Legal Bill that Killed off British Rave Culture
We examine the four pages of documents that effectively put an end to the golden days of the UK party scene. – Vice UK
https://www.vice.com/en_uk/article/xypmmw/looking-back-at-the-legal-bill-that-killed-off-british-rave-culture
Some media descriptions of Travellers / Ravers included “hordes of marauding locusts” (Daily Telegraph), and “These foul pests must be controlled” (Daily Mail).
In November 2019, the Home Secretary Priti Patel announced a review of the law to extend the Public Order Act 1986 and the Criminal Justice Act 1994 in dealing with Police Powers to Tackle Unauthorised Encampments. This review has concluded in March 2020.
Those that even knew that this was happening think that she just means gypsy travellers at the side of the road or on private land. Hence mostly only those folks and their representatives took the trouble to respond and say all this strengthening of the law is a bad idea.
I say that when this finally comes out as a bill, it will include a shed-load of further trouble for a whole load of different people engaged in such a variety of activities.
Aggravated trespass, protest, union activities, festivals, parties, assemblies of a variety of sorts. Even the ramblers are worried it might restrict access to the countryside. [I think that this does show such a wide variety of people are likely to be affected].
Those that bring vehicles and equipment on land would then not just have them confiscated and returned a bit later … but destroyed.
At time of writing, we are in the middle of a countrywide lockdown, with the country trying to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic, hence I guess some of the process is on hold or delayed. Haven’t heard of developments for a little while, BUT it will happen and I feel folks need to be more aware. To then consider what are you going to do about it?
I might add that some folks organising ‘raves’ in Leeds
Leeds Rave at a Nature reserve
Illegal woodland rave in Leeds sparks anger as 200 people break lockdown rules to party. May 2020
https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/news/leeds-news/illegal-woodland-rave-leeds-sparks-18310399
.. and Manchester over 13/14th June [and many others] during the current emergency are most definably not helping. The injuries, lack of provision for care and the god awful mess …. They will be cited by the authorities in the near future on why more urgent need for these powers to be introduced.
Summer of illegal raves expected in England despite coronavirus crisis – Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/15/summer-of-illegal-raves-expected-in-england-despite-coronavirus-crisis
Police Powers to Tackle Unauthorised Encampments
Strengthening Police Powers to Tackle Unauthorised Encampments: Written statement – HCWS80
Home Office: 04 November 2019
Made by: Priti Patel (Secretary of State for the Home Department) HCWS80
Strengthening Police Powers to Tackle Unauthorised Encampments
Today I am announcing the Government’s plans to consult on criminalising the act of trespassing when setting up an unauthorised encampment in England and Wales. I recognise the distress and misery that some unauthorised encampments cause to many communities and businesses across the country. Currently, this kind of trespass is a civil matter and the powers available to the police are limited.
My predecessor, the Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP, announced to the House of Commons on 6 February that we would carry out a public consultation on amending the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 to lower the criteria that must be met for the police to be able to direct people away from unauthorised sites. He also announced that the Home Office would conduct a review into how trespassing while setting up an unauthorised encampment could be made a criminal offence in England and Wales, learning lessons from other countries like the Republic of Ireland, where this is already a criminal offence.
I am announcing today that having considered the legislation in the Republic of Ireland, I would like to test the appetite to go further than the original proposals. I would like to broaden the existing categories of criminal trespass to cover trespassers on land who are there with the purpose of residing in their vehicle for any period, and to give the police the relevant powers to arrest offenders in situ and to seize any vehicles or other property on unauthorised encampments promptly.
Tomorrow, we will launch a public consultation on whether criminalising unauthorised encampments would be preferable to the amendments we originally proposed to the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, and if so, how it should work. The consultation will be available tomorrow at www.gov.uk/government/consultations/strengthening-police-powers-to-tackle-unauthorised-encampments and will be open for four months. A copy of the consultation will also be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
I thank Members for their continued engagement on this important issue.
This statement has also been made in the House of Lords: HLWS78
https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2019-11-04/HCWS80/
Government consults on new police powers to criminalise unauthorised encampments
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-consults-on-new-police-powers-to-criminalise-unauthorised-encampments
Strengthening police powers to tackle unauthorised encampments
This consultation ran from 5 November 2019 to 11:59pm on 4 March 2020
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/strengthening-police-powers-to-tackle-unauthorised-encampments
Summary
Consultation on measures to criminalise trespassing when setting up an unauthorised encampment in England and Wales.
Consultation description
We would like to consult on measures to criminalise the act of trespassing when setting up an unauthorised encampment in England and Wales.
We would also like to consult on what an alternative approach to this could be:
- amending section 62A of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 to permit the police to direct trespassers to suitable authorised sites located in neighbouring local authority areas
- amending sections 61 and 62A of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 to increase the period of time in which trespassers directed from land would be unable to return from 3 months to 12 months
- amending section 61 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 to lower the number of vehicles needing to be involved in an unauthorised encampment before police powers can be exercised from six to two or more vehicles
- amending section 61 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 to enable the police to remove trespassers from land that forms part of the highway
Home Office Consultation paper: Strengthening police powers to tackle unauthorised encampments [27page pdf]
>>>>>
Friends, Families and Travellers
Police oppose criminalising unauthorised encampments and call for more sites:
There is a recognised national shortage of sites for Gypsies and Travellers (Cromarty et al, 2019). As a result, Gypsy and Traveller households are more likely to experience housing deprivation than any other ethnic group (De Noronha, 2015). Many families do not have a place to stop or call home, which has serious health and social implications for Gypsy and Traveller families, many of whom cannot access basic amenities such as water and sanitation and experience difficulties in accessing services such as education and healthcare. Due to the lack of available pitches, families are forced to camp in public spaces, which can exacerbate relationships with the settled community and may place Gypsy and Traveller families at higher risk of experiencing hate crime.
>>>>>
For those of you that think that all this is ONLY about Gypsy Travellers …… I want to point out that EVEN the Ramblers / walkers are upset about all this …… I think that this should show that there are so many activities that are likely to get caught up in all this WILL include raves / free parties / illegal festivals / many other gatherings etc etc etc…..
Trespass proposals could be ‘thin end of the wedge’ for walkers
21 February 2020
https://www.ramblers.org.uk/news/latest-news/2020/february/trespass-consultation.aspx
” …. Trespass is currently a civil wrong and criminalisation would be a major change in the law – and one that could have a significant impact on walkers.
Gemma Cantelo, head of policy and advocacy at the Ramblers, said: ‘We’re worried that these proposals are the thin edge of a wedge, which could result in an erosion of people’s rights to access and enjoy the countryside.’
‘It’s vital that the access rights that the Ramblers and others have fought for over the years are protected. A reported 84% of police forces do not support the criminalisation of unauthorised encampments, so this seems like a sledgehammer approach to policymaking. Government’s priority should be to make it easier for people to get outside and enjoy the benefits of walking and nature – that’s good for our health and the planet.”
Ramblers Response: Home Office consultation on unauthorised encampments
02 March 2020
https://www.ramblers.org.uk/news/latest-news/2020/march/home-office-consultation-on-unauthorised-encampments.aspx
In short, mind out, they haven’t finished yet and they do mean you!
I believe that the communities I have been involved with represent genuine endeavours in discovering enduring and sustainable ways of life and conducting experiments in how we and the planet may survive. I wish them well in these uncertain times.
Don’t let the bastards grind you down!
Alan Lodge (Tash)
June 2020
Collected Reference URL’s
Public Order Act 1986. Section 39
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1986/64/section/39/enacted
Entertainments (Increased Penalties) Act 1990
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1990/20/section/1/enacted
Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994. Section 63
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1994/33/section/63
Looking back at the Legal Bill that Killed off British Rave Culture – Vice. 08 March 2017
https://www.vice.com/en_uk/article/xypmmw/looking-back-at-the-legal-bill-that-killed-off-british-rave-culture
Statement by the Home Secretary Priti Patel: Strengthening Police Powers to Tackle Unauthorised Encampments:
House of Commons. 4 November 2019
https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2019-11-04/HCWS80/
Government consults on new police powers to criminalise unauthorised encampments. 3 November 2019
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-consults-on-new-police-powers-to-criminalise-unauthorised-encampments
Consultation : Strengthening police powers to tackle unauthorised encampments 15 November 2019
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/strengthening-police-powers-to-tackle-unauthorised-encampments
Home Office Consultation paper: Strengthening police powers to tackle unauthorised encampments [27page pdf]
Friends, Families and Travellers
Police oppose criminalising unauthorised encampments and call for more sites: November 2019
Trespass proposals could be ‘thin end of the wedge’ for walkers
21 February 2020
https://www.ramblers.org.uk/news/latest-news/2020/february/trespass-consultation.aspx
Ramblers Response: Home Office consultation on unauthorised encampments
02 March 2020
https://www.ramblers.org.uk/news/latest-news/2020/march/home-office-consultation-on-unauthorised-encampments.aspx
Summer of illegal raves expected in England despite coronavirus crisis – Guardian. 15th June 2020
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/15/summer-of-illegal-raves-expected-in-england-despite-coronavirus-crisis
Leeds Rave at a Nature reserve
Illegal woodland rave in Leeds sparks anger as 200 people break lockdown rules to party. May 2020
https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/news/leeds-news/illegal-woodland-rave-leeds-sparks-18310399
My ‘historical’ site – Alan Lodge, photographer [One Eye on the Road]
http://alanlodge.uk
