Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps the Government is taking to help prevent illegal raves during the covid-19 outbreak.

On Friday 28 August, the Government introduced legislation to provide the police in England and Wales powers to issue a £10,000 FPN to anyone holding, or involved in the holding of, an illegal gathering of over 30 people.

Police forces also have the power to direct rave goers to leave, and failure to comply with this direction constitutes a criminal offence. Individuals who attend illegal raves can be fined £200, doubling with each offence up to a maximum of £6,400.

Forces continue to work hard to gather and share intelligence in order to detect and disrupt unlicensed music events which are purposely organised at short notice to avoid detection, and continue to engage, explain, encourage, and enforce these fines where necessary.