Why the party police are afraid of the dark 

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
Updated:


A police force has admitted it is powerless to break up illegal raves  -  because officers might hurt themselves in the dark.

Kent Police insisted they must wait until sunrise before tackling late-night revellers because of health and safety issues. 

A senior officer also claimed there were concerns that if parties were called off suddenly, ravers might be involved in accidents while driving home high on drink and drugs.

ravers

No bobbies on the beats: Police say they are powerless to stop illegal raves

Residents of Sevenoaks, however, were infuriated by Chief Inspector Gill Ellis's comments, saying their lives have been blighted by allnight raves in nearby woodland.

One district councillor said police had allowed one  -  at Longspring Woods near the village of Shoreham in March  -  to continue until 1pm the following afternoon.

Phil Hobson said: 'It's ridiculous that a rave would be allowed to go on all night and into the afternoon. 

'On that night there were about 500 people who were kept awake. 

'What the police told us is if a rave is happening and they don't know about it in advance, then they can't get the manpower there to stop it. 

'I think it is disgusting. The police are there to catch criminals and stop illegal activity.' 

Retired engineer Clive Evans, 66, said: 'We couldn't believe what the police came out with. II've never heard so much rubbish in all my life.

'How can fully-trained officers be worried about forcing a bunch of hippies and druggies to go home? 

'What sort of thing did they expect to do when they signed up for the police?'


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