Call for police meeting re Unlicensed Events on Clapham Common
Dear Police Commissioner
We are writing as residents of the London Borough of Lambeth who live on or close to Clapham Common, to register our concern about the increasing problem of anti- social behaviour, relating to Unlicensed Musical Events (UMEs), on the Common and the lack of response from the MET police.
This issue has been an ongoing problem since the ending of the COVID lockdown in the spring/summer of 2020. There has been a significant increase in the number of groups and individuals setting up, without the consent of the Council, large and/or commercial musical systems on the Common and using them in clear violation of multiple bylaws and sometime within 50m of residents’ homes.
In recent months, these Unlicenced Music Events (UMEs) have become increasing larger and more frequent (7 such events in August /September 2023), with one event reportedly having 2000 people in attendance and event organisers shutting off Windmill Drive with barricades, only allowing entry for people attending their event.
These events are held without any accountable security presence or controls. They have caused public nuisance. The have the potential to be a threat to personal safety. There is frequently children in attendance. They have resulted in numerous instances of anti-social behaviour. Any one of the above would be reason enough for Council or police to refuse a TENS licence or an organised event.
Residents have used all the means available to report such UMEs as soon as they become aware of them, in real time, to both the Council and the police. On many occasions, without support of Police, Lambeth Council and their newly formed Park Public Protection Team have been unable to prevent them going ahead, or indeed stop them mid-course suffering harassment and hostility. Recently, some residents have been informed by the police that they have been instructed not to intervene when complaints of noise and anti-social behaviour has been logged by the local community.
This has sent the message to the UME organisers that they can act with impunity, and that they can set up any illegal event on Clapham Common without risk of the authorities acting against them.
Public Protection Units of Lambeth Council and some residents who have tried to talk to UME organisers have faced hostility and Lambeth’s Public Protection Officers at the CCMAC meeting on 7 September advised residents not to approach any event organisers because threat to their safety.
The UME’s start under the format of a family event, but as the evening progresses, they could be more accurately described as nightclubs on the Common. Evidence has shown large consumption of alcohol and drugs without the usual security and protection provided in licenced venues. There is a real threat to women’s safety, whether attending the events, park users or residents. There are no age checks and children are attending. They have been known to go on to late in the evening.
Lambeth Council has informed us of the increasing resources, planning and protocols being put in place to try and stop the events going forward, however, acknowledge that without the support of the police they can’t stop the events, despite the fact they present a real threat to public safety and to the wellbeing of local residents.
As there is also NO accountable protection for the attendees at these UMEs, we fear it is only a matter of time before we have to deal with a major incident.
Previously, there was an open dialogue between residents and police but now we get no response.
Therefore we are seeking an urgent meeting with a senior member of Lambeth Police - logically the most senior officer responsible for anti-social behaviour in the borough - senior appropriate officers from Lambeth Council and involved Councillors, as well as their counterparts in Wandsworth Council to discuss what action can be taken to address the issue.
Being informed that it is dangerous to approach these events, and the lack of response and involvement for the police during 2023 is alarming and concerning and we, as a local community need answers from the police as to what their protocol and actions will be going forward.
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