A former office block in Marylebone has been shut down down after illegal raves caused havoc for neighbours.
Westminster Council officers said it was made aware the vacant offices in Mortimer Street were being used for illegal raves and unauthorised music events.
The events reportedly sometimes lasted over 14 hours, and featured music so loud nearby walls shook.
The council received reports of “thumping music, crowds of party goers under the influence of drugs and alcohol spilling out into the street and anti-social behaviour such as littering and public urination”.
The building’s landlord applied to a court to stop squatters from inhabiting the empty property.
While that was being processed, the Met police served a Closure Notice which prohibited access to the property for 48 hours.
“A Section 80 notice was served by the Council, allowing noise equipment to be seized if further anti-social behaviour continued,” said a Westminster Council spokesperson.
Police and council officers visited the property with the landlord and moved on three squatters, and secured the premises. A 24/7 security team was also stationed at the site to make sure nobody returned.
At a court hearing on February 22, a Closure Order was granted, under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. It legally prohibits anyone except certain named people from accessing the premises except certain named people.
“The decision will allow some long overdue peace and quiet for residents who live nearby, allowing them to get their lives back to normal,” said Westminster Council in a statement.
Following the closure order, one resident said: “Only when the 'venue' was closed and life returned to normal, I fully realised the impact it had on our lives, and how nice it is to be able to have uninterrupted sleep on weekends and be able to rest after a work week.”
“No loud music all night and well into the morning, no noise, no rubbish left by people attending the raves. It feels safe now.”
Westminster City Council says after a spike of unauthorised music events during the first Covid-19 lockdown of 2020, such events are on the decline but still continue.
Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities, Children and Public Protection, Cllr Aicha Less said: “These illegal raves have caused huge disruption for these residents, turning their lives upside down.”
“I am grateful for the council’s hard work alongside the police to make sure this is resolved as soon as possible, and this sort of anti-social behaviour will not be returning.”
“If people see this sort of selfish and disrespectful behaviour happening, they should report it to the police as soon as possible or use the council’s report it service”.
