Daisy Nook rave: MP backs collaborative action

Ashton and Failsworth MP Angela Rayner has urged police to bring the full force of the law onto those responsible for Saturday’s illegal rave at Daisy Nook.

Mrs Rayner organised a meeting with officials from Tameside Council, Oldham Council and Greater Manchester Police to discuss the rave, which saw 4,000 people descend on the popular beauty spot after reportedly paying £10 for an entry ticket.

She has now called for collaborative working between the councils and emergency services to prevent a repeat of the event which left nearby residents in severe distress due to rave-goers urinating on their properties and leaving the area strewn with broken glass and drug debris.

Police representatives told the meeting that they had been tipped off about the rave on Saturday lunchtime but found no evidence when they initially searched the site.

When they went back at 6pm, revellers were arriving in their droves and the force were already stretched to capacity due to Black Lives Matter protests and another rave in Trafford.

Officers said that in order to maximise the safety of those attending the rave and minimise the risk of wider disruption to the community and to officers that the rave would be monitored and any crimes dealt with as they arose.

Mrs Rayner said: “I have been contacted by lots of my constituents, many who were directly affected by this rave. They need assurances that this is being taken extremely seriously.

“My concern is that similar events will be organised for the summer months.

"I want to make it very clear that this will not be tolerated in Oldham and Tameside.

“I will support the police to track down those responsible for organising this illegal rave so that they can be brought to justice and face the full force of the law.

“Police will be working with both local authorities in terms of licensing, criminal and behavioural orders for any future incidents of this nature.

"We need information from all sources, including councillors, council officers and the wider community, to help the police to prevent an event of this nature happening in the future.”

Meanwhile, influential record label owner Mark Dayvd, of the Music Venue Trust, has taken to social medía to warn the Government about the potential for further similar events and incidents in the future.

Two weeks ago he provided evidence to the Events and Entertainment Working Group of the Government, indicating that a failure to find a legal and licensed solution to enable gatherings of young people to enjoy music together would not result in there being no such gatherings; it would result in illegal, unlicensed and dangerous activity.

Mr Davyd stated: "I repeated that point to Scottish government last week.

"The weekend two such mass gatherings that we know about have taken place. Circa 6,000 people. At least one stabbing, widespread drug abuse, an overdose and a reported rape.

"This unlicensed, illegal and dangerous activity will continue to increase until such time as the government accepts that it cannot expect to suppress the desire for cultural based experiences while it simultaneously encourages shopping for economic purposes.

“If I had a spare copy of Dave Haslam’s excellent Life After Dark I would make them read it. This plan won’t work. Get a new one.“

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