Police warning over bogus party bookings
Friday, 6th November 2009.
Suffolk police are warning owners and staff of function venues to beware of customers booking their premises for illegal rave-type parties.
Following the successful close-down of one such event at Gosbeck Village Hall on Friday, October 30, police are keen to urge staff who take bookings for events at village halls, community centres and other non-commercial premises to be beware of bogus bookings.
Rave organizers often book venues under the pretence of holding a family celebration or birthday party, but go on to publicise the event as an illegal gathering to hundreds of party-goers.
Mid-Suffolk Neighbourhood Response Inspector Bruce Gent says: “Although the majority of function bookings for village halls and similar venues are completely genuine, we would remind staff managing these bookings to be alert to any suspect customers.
"Key things to be wary of are last minute bookings, payments in cash, vague information given about the event, no request for an alcohol licence and fake IDs.
“Staff should not feel pressured into taking bookings that they believe may be suspicious, and are encouraged to alert the police if they think a rave may be taking place.
"If an event gets out of hand, with excessive guest numbers and extremely loud music, we would advise members of the public to inform the police.”
A 19-year-old man from Debenham was given a fixed penalty notice for disorder following Friday’s incident. Officers closed down the party and seized sound equipment.
Insp Gent said: “My message to anyone thinking of booking a hall for any purpose other than a legitimate party is this – officers will attend and close the event down if necessary and seize sound equipment. We will take action against the organisers under the appropriate legislation.”
Following the successful close-down of one such event at Gosbeck Village Hall on Friday, October 30, police are keen to urge staff who take bookings for events at village halls, community centres and other non-commercial premises to be beware of bogus bookings.
Rave organizers often book venues under the pretence of holding a family celebration or birthday party, but go on to publicise the event as an illegal gathering to hundreds of party-goers.
Mid-Suffolk Neighbourhood Response Inspector Bruce Gent says: “Although the majority of function bookings for village halls and similar venues are completely genuine, we would remind staff managing these bookings to be alert to any suspect customers.
"Key things to be wary of are last minute bookings, payments in cash, vague information given about the event, no request for an alcohol licence and fake IDs.
“Staff should not feel pressured into taking bookings that they believe may be suspicious, and are encouraged to alert the police if they think a rave may be taking place.
"If an event gets out of hand, with excessive guest numbers and extremely loud music, we would advise members of the public to inform the police.”
A 19-year-old man from Debenham was given a fixed penalty notice for disorder following Friday’s incident. Officers closed down the party and seized sound equipment.
Insp Gent said: “My message to anyone thinking of booking a hall for any purpose other than a legitimate party is this – officers will attend and close the event down if necessary and seize sound equipment. We will take action against the organisers under the appropriate legislation.”
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