The powers library51 of 59 Public order and ASB

Powers to remove persons attending or preparing for a rave

s.63Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994

A superintendent who reasonably believes people are preparing for, waiting for or attending a rave may direct them to leave the land and take their vehicles and property with them.

Powers to remove persons attending or preparing for a rave · Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, s.63Card 51 / 59

When you can use it

s.63(1)A gathering of 20 or more people on land in the open air, trespassers or not, with amplified music played during the night
The music, by its loudness, duration and the time it is played, is likely to cause serious distress to local inhabitants
s.63(1A)Or a gathering of 20 or more trespassers on land that would qualify if it were held in the open air (an indoor rave)
s.63(2)The officer is a superintendent or above and reasonably believes, as respects the land, that:
(a) 2 or more people are making preparations for such a gathering, or
(b) 10 or more people are waiting for one to begin, or (c) 10 or more are attending one in progress
s.63(9)The gathering is not one held under a Licensing Act 2003 authorisation for regulated entertainment

What it allows

Direct those people, and anyone else who comes to prepare for, wait for or attend the gathering, to leave the land.
Require them to remove any vehicles or other property they have with them on the land.
Once directed, a person must not re-enter the land for 7 days, beginning with the day the direction was given (s.63(6)(b)).

Key definitions

Music – s.63(1)(b): includes sounds wholly or mainly characterised by a succession of repetitive beats.
Gathering – s.63(1): continues through intermissions in the music, and over several days through each night the music plays.
Land in the open air – s.63(10): includes a place partly open to the air.
Exempt person – s.63(10): the occupier, their family, employees or agents, and anyone whose home is on the land.

Safeguards

The direction does not apply to an exempt person (s.63(5)).
The belief must be reasonable, and held by a superintendent or above. A constable cannot give the direction, only communicate it (s.63(3)).
A person is treated as having been given the direction if reasonable steps were taken to bring it to their attention (s.63(4)).

Good to know

Offences (summary, up to 3 months and/or a level 4 fine): knowingly failing to leave as soon as reasonably practicable, or re-entering within 7 days (s.63(6)), with a reasonable excuse defence (s.63(7)); or preparing for or attending such a gathering within 24 hours of the direction (s.63(7A)).
s.64: a superintendent may authorise constables to enter the land without a warrant. A constable who reasonably suspects a person subject to the direction has, without reasonable excuse, failed to remove a vehicle or sound equipment, or re-entered as a trespasser with one within 7 days, may seize and remove it (not an exempt person’s).
s.65: a constable in uniform who reasonably believes a person is on their way to a gathering subject to a s.63(2) direction may stop them and direct them not to proceed towards it, but only within 5 miles of the boundary of the site. Not an exempt person. Knowingly failing to comply is a level 3 fine.
Exam trap: the old specific power of arrest (s.63(8)) is repealed. Arrest now relies on PACE s.24.

Legislation: Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, s.63 (opens legislation.gov.uk in a new tab)
Who can use it: A superintendent or above (direction); any constable at the scene (to pass it on)
Last checked: 3 November 2026, against the current law on legislation.gov.uk

Powers to remove persons attending or preparing for a rave: questions people ask

When can the police use powers to remove persons attending or preparing for a rave?

1. A gathering of 20 or more people on land in the open air, trespassers or not, with amplified music played during the night 2. The music, by its loudness, duration and the time it is played, is likely to cause serious distress to local inhabitants 3. Or a gathering of 20 or more trespassers on land that would qualify if it were held in the open air (an indoor rave) 4. The officer is a superintendent or above and reasonably believes, as respects the land, that: 5. (a) 2 or more people are making preparations for such a gathering, or 6. (b) 10 or more people are waiting for one to begin, or (c) 10 or more are attending one in progress 7. The gathering is not one held under a Licensing Act 2003 authorisation for regulated entertainment

Who can use powers to remove persons attending or preparing for a rave?

A superintendent or above (direction); any constable at the scene (to pass it on)

What law gives the power for powers to remove persons attending or preparing for a rave?

Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, s.63.

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