Norfolk Police report that they again disrupted two unlicensed musics. In one incident in Thetford Forest near Shadwell police received a report of loud music at about 2.30am on Sunday, June 10, from a member of the public. Over 60 people were in attendance.
Police worked to disrupt the event with officers seizing various items of sound equipment including speakers, a generator and mixing desk. Officers also arrested three people on suspicion of causing a public nuisance. They were taken to Bury St Edmunds. A little earlier officers also received details of vehicles arriving with over fifty people gathering in the Hedneham area near Bungay area on Saturday, June 9 at just before 11pm.
Once police swiftly attended the UME which was in a remote location in the Hedenham area other vehicles arriving at the scene were turned away. Supt Dave Marshall said: “The action taken by us overnight to prevent and disrupt these events is once again a demonstration of our zero-tolerance approach to unlicensed music events – they are potentially dangerous and cause unnecessary damage as well as disruptive to the local community. Indeed, we received complaints to the Thetford incident from people who were staying at a nearby campsite.
“We took similar action at an event near Mundford last weekend and last night’s action is a continuation of that approach.”
Officers the previous weekend stopped a van travelling on the A134 Wretton Road, near Croxton, on June 2, shortly before 11.30pm. After searching the van police seized sound equipment. Seven people were arrested in connection with the incident – five on suspicion of drug offences and two on suspicion of being concerned in conspiracy to commit public nuisance.
All suspects were taken to Bury Police Investigation Centre where they were interviewed by officers and bailed while enquiries continue. Meanwhile, at 7.45am on June 3, police were called to an area of Thetford Forest following reports of an unlicensed music event near Mundford.
Officers attended and discovered more than 300 people in attendance, with 100 vehicles. Police worked to disrupt the event which was safely concluded with officers seizing a large amount of sound equipment. Enquiries continue to identify those responsible for organising the event.
Officers from Norfolk and Suffolk Police worke to disrupt the events which happened near the county border. Supt Nick Davison, who led June 3’s operation, said: “The action taken to prevent and disrupt these events falls in line with our zero-tolerance approach to unlicensed music events, which are potentially dangerous and cause unnecessary damage and disruption.
“While officers on the ground liaised with people attending this morning’s event it became apparent that, weather dependent, it had been their intention to hold a three-day event. “This would have caused considerable disruption to the local community had it not been for the positive action taken by Norfolk and Suffolk Constabularies.
“As the extended Bank Holiday weekend continues I want to make it quite clear that we will deal robustly with anyone found to be holding or organising an unlicensed or illegal music event.”
