News
Arrest made as illegal Boxing Day rave in Shudehill shut down by police
Police have issued fines and made an arrest following an illegal rave in the Shudehill area of Manchester city centre over the festive period.
The Manc -
28th December 2020 
Police have confirmed an arrest has been made in connection with the Shudehill Boxing Day rave that attracted 100 revellers from across the North West.
A large crowd was dispersed from an empty block of flats on Hanover Street at 4:20am on Sunday morning – with officers also confiscating music equipment.
A 27-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of racially-aggravated public order and taken into custody for questioning.
Two others – aged 17 and 18 – have also been handed £1,000 fixed penalty notices; which can be issued by police to anyone involved in the organisation of illegal gatherings during the pandemic.
Greater Manchester Police’s Chief Inspector Colin MacDiarmid said that enquiries are ongoing to “ensure the organisers of this gathering are held accountable for their unacceptable actions.”
He added: “The majority of people in Manchester have made tremendously difficult sacrifices over the Christmas period and have complied with the rules that we all have to follow; however, it is the minority of people who attend events such as this that risk undoing the hard work of everyone else.”
Police revealed that people had travelled from beyond Manchester and ‘across the North West’ to attend the party.
“[This] not only disregards the rules there to protect public health but also undermines the whole spirit of us all needing to be in this together to battle the ongoing risk of coronavirus,” stated Chief Inspector MacDiarmid.
“We have always, and continue to, operate by using the four Es of engaging, explaining, and encouraging the public to comply, but we will not hesitate to take enforcement action against those found to be responsible for blatant examples of flouting the rules such as this.”
