Recorded incidents of unlicensed music events/raves from 2018 to 2021

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.22.022473

I note you seek access to the following information:

1) How many unlicensed music events/raves did you record as having occurred in each of the last four full calendar years, plus 2021 to date, in your area?

2) How many unlicensed music events/raves did you disperse in each of the last four full calendar years, plus 2021 to date, in your area?”

Decision

I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full.

Please find below information pursuant to your request above.

Please note there are many variables on such a search. Such variables include the definition of an ‘unlicensed music event’ which may differ between the Police and members of the public, the fact that multiple promotors may promote the same event, and additionally the fact that sometimes events are advertised to gauge interest but do not go ahead. Therefore, where an unlicensed music event has been recorded by the MPS, it does not mean it went ahead. The totals shown, indicate the number of identified unlicensed music events recorded by the MPS, and will not accurately reflect the number that actually went ahead - there is no way to measure this.

As such these figures should be treated with caution.

2018 – 67 unlicensed music events
2019 – 64 unlicensed music events
2020 – 151 unlicensed music events
2021 – 307 unlicensed music events

96 dispersed by police action in 2021. Please note before 2021 the number of unlicensed music events that had been dispersed was not recorded.