Bank holiday to bring record chill as Patel warns ravers to cool it
BANK holiday Monday is at risk of being the coldest on record, forecasters have said as warnings of heavy rain suggest a washout may be ahead.
Top temperatures will dip considerably below the average for this time of year, with parts of Scotland not expected to climb above 11C (52F), according to the Met Office. Outdoor weekend breaks may also be thrown into jeopardy after a yellow alert for heavy rain and thunderstorms was issued for swathes of England and south Wales.
However, despite the gloomy forecasts, authorities fear the recent explosion in illegal raves could see thousands of revellers attend underground parties, fuelling the spread of Covid-19.
Writing in The Daily Telegraph Priti Patel attacks the “breathtakingly selfish and senseless” ravers, as she urges police to shut down illegal bank holiday parties.
The Home Secretary warns the illicit events are “hotbeds of anti-social behaviour” where young people are targeted and exploited by drug gangs.
She also criticises social media, which is being used to organise raves without the web companies taking any action to prevent the illegal events being promoted. Police in some areas are being forced to deploy more officers to tackle raves than they would on New Year’s Eve, traditionally the busiest night for forces, she says.
“There is still a small minority of inconsiderate individuals who show a blatant disregard for the safety of others,” the Home Secretary writes. “We will not allow this breathtakingly selfish behaviour from a senseless minority to jeopardise the progress we have made together. That is why we are cracking down on the most serious breaches of social distancing restrictions.”
Scotland Yard is said to have intelligence on “numerous” planned gatherings in London, with concerns being raised that the cancellation of this year’s Notting Hill carnival could lead to an increase in illegal events. New legislation was brought into force yesterday to help police tackle unlicensed music events by giving them the power to fine organisers up to £10,000.
While raves or unlawful gatherings of more than 30 people will be the focus of the effort, there is concern among rank-and-file officers that it could prove futile. Ken Marsh, chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation, said hefty
fines would only be helpful at locations where the owner could be identified, such as warehouses and fields. “It means absolutely nothing to us here. People just set up a music box in the middle of the street and say ‘it’s not mine’. It’s utter nonsense,” he said.
The organiser of the Notting Hill Carnival urged revellers to stay off the streets this weekend, as the event moved online for the first time in its 54year history.
Matthew Phillip, the carnival’s executive director, said: “We want people to stay home and stay safe and respect carnival and protect it.”
There is hope, however, that the wet weather could prove to be a boon for
‘People just set up a music box in the middle of the street and say “it’s not mine”. It’s utter nonsense’
tourist attractions as visitors are driven inside. Staycationers are being urged to spend “time and money” in their favourite locations amid growing concern about visitors only taking day trips and picnics.
Patricia Yates, the chief executive of Visit Britain, warned that pictures of packed beaches could be deceptive as people had been less likely to stay at destinations overnight or visit indoor attractions during the pandemic.
Ms Yates said: “The challenge is getting people to spend money. People are still quite reluctant to go indoors so they will go to the beach and take a picnic instead.”
Flood warnings have also been issued by the Environment Agency ahead of the expected rainstorms over the weekend, with water levels expected to rise treacherously high on the Esk in North Yorkshire. Villagers in the areas between Briggswath and Ruswarp, near Whitby, are being urged to prepare their homes in case they are flooded.