Disused or empty warehouses, pubs, offices and barns are targeted to host unauthorised parties, with gatherings ranging from a few hundred people to over 2,000.
The aftermath of an illegal rave may only cost a few hundred pounds if all that’s needed is a sweep up, but it can quite easily run to six figures if there has been extensive damage to the building, suggests Anthony Owen, pictured, managing director of VPS.
He says: “Raves occur throughout the year, but there are two main seasons, summertime and around New Year’s Eve. A rave already reported this month incurred damages of tens of thousands of pounds. Last summer over 300 of these events were reported around the country, so it is highly realistic to estimate the total cost this year will run into millions.”
The rave Mr Owen referred to was reported by the owner of a derelict post office in Waltham Forest, north of London, who is counting the costs when 1,000 revellers took over the property for a summer rave on July 4. A century-old former delivery office had been the subject of a planning application to turn it into a mixed-use development of nine homes and a workplace when the owner reported the all-night party. Besides damages to each room in the property, lead was stolen from the roof, toilets were demolished and copper pipe work was taken.
Owen adds: “Empty properties or vacant land are obvious targets for illegal raves. If they are not secured and inspected regularly, owners may find themselves non-compliant on their insurance, and in the light of the expense of the aftermath, cutting corners on protection can turn out to be a false economy.”
VPS, a vacant property management contractor, supplies security to commercial landlords, construction firms, local authorities and housing associations. After an illegal rave, they say, they are often called to clean and clear the site before securing it, which may need specialist crews who know how to handle the residue of drug use or faecal dirt.
A case study “Axa” on protecting buildings from an illegal rave is available from the VPS website, www.vpspecialists.co.uk.
