Police move in to break up illegal raves on commons

POLICE took action to disperse crowds causing “significant disruptions” at two unlicensed music events in south London over the weekend.

The Metropolitan Police said in a statement that dispersal zones had been applied in response to events in Clapham Common and Tooting Bec Common.

The zones allow uniformed officers extra powers to order people to leave the area and not return.

Meanwhile, Northamptonshire Police said a man was arrested and up to 50 people moved on following a planned operation to prevent and disrupt an illegal rave near Wellingborough on Saturday night.

A 34-year-old man from Wellingborough was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and public order offences and is currently in police custody.

The events continue a sequence of unlawful gatherings in London over four successive nights.

Seven people were arrested and two weapons seized by police at illegal gatherings over Friday night and Saturday morning.

The arrests include two people in Newham who were carrying a firearm and a “Rambo-style” knife respectively, the Met said.

Five people were arrested at another music event in Third Avenue, West Kilburn, including two for attacking police officers. The Met said two officers were injured but did not require hospital treatment.

It comes after Met Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick vowed to shut down events flouting regulations.

Police said officers are out “working hard” to disperse illegal events.