§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on Operation Hartley on the bearing down on illegal raves and festivals in the south west; and what action has so far taken place, including the number of arrests. [177956]
§ Caroline FlintAvon and Somerset police inform me that Operation Hartley is an initiative operating across Avon and Somerset, Wiltshire, Dorset, Gloucestershire and Devon and Cornwall police forces areas. It is designed to proactively target organisers of illegal raves and music festivals and to provide a rapid and co-ordinated response to illegal raves. The aim of the operation is, where possible, to prevent illegal raves taking place thereby minimising disruption and nuisance caused to local communities.
It involves a combined intelligence gathering initiative and an agreed protocol to allow the pooling of police resources, where appropriate, to ensure rapid and effective enforcement action. The number of arrests already made is not yet available.