DJ arrested and fined after police called to street party in Leeds

Officers were called to Wepener Mount to reports of a large gathering.

One man, who was DJing at the party, was arrested and fined.

Five other people at the party were also fined.

Police in Leeds were given extra powers to disperse large groups and seize music equipment amid fears of illegal raves taking place over the Bank Holiday Weekend.

Superintendent Chris Bowen said: “We hope people will recognise the ongoing risks of holding or taking part in events such as this, but where intervention is needed, we will fine people and make arrests where necessary.”

Dispersal orders which will cover the whole of Leeds are being put in place from Friday until Tuesday.

Alongside existing powers under the current Covid-19 legislation, the orders will allow officers to ask people to leave a specified area and not to return for 48 hours - or they will face arrest.

Under the orders, made under Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, officers can confiscate items being used in anti-social behaviour, such as sound systems or other music equipment.

Major events that would normally take place this weekend, including Leeds Festival, Leeds West Indian Carnival, and the Black Music Festival, have been postponed this year due to the ongoing pandemic.

Police have shut down several illegal raves over the lockdown period and there are concerns that similar events are being organised for this weekend.

Three arrests were made in May after 200 party-goers attended an illegal rave on an island in the Kirkstall Valley Nature Reserve.

Another illegal music event in the Leeds underpass of the M1 motorway, which was attended by about 400 people, was shut down by police in June.

There have also been several gatherings of hundreds of people on Woodhouse Moor over the lockdown period.

Police, council and public health officials are continuing to urge people to act responsibly and stick to the restrictions this weekend to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in Leeds.

SUNDAY AFTERNOON UPDATE: A 27-year-old man from Lincoln has been charged with causing a public nuisance after officers broke up the party on Wepener Mount.

He is due to appear in court at the end of next month.

*************************

A message from the Editor:

Leeds has a fantastic story to tell - and the Yorkshire Evening Post has been rooted firmly at the heart of telling the stories of our city since 1890. We believe in ourselves and hope you believe in us too. We need your support to help ensure we can continue to be at the heart of life in Leeds.

Subscribe to our website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe. For more details on our newspaper subscription offers click here.

Thank you

Laura Collins