You have to take their word that one has been issued AFAIK. Anyone got any knowledge of this?

Things were a lot more clearer when you actually got to see the issued section. Does anybody still know if you can demand to see the section as proof before packing up?

the law hasn’t been changed, its still the super who needs to give ultimate authority – but some forces operate a “rubber stamping” process where the decision to use CJA is delegated to the control room duty inspector
(who has the relevant information of how many free resources exist, the size of the rave and whether it is feasible to use these powers anyway)

The superintendent will automatically accept their junior officers decision and ensure the signed paperwork is available should their be any later legal challenge to the legtimacy of this action.

This is a fairly common practice throughout the public sector (particularly in the Emergency Services and NHS where taking the appropriate action its time critical) – it is done to speed up service delivery even when senior managers are not readily available.

it has happened because the cops are also being challenged by complaining citizens in areas where raves happened who feel the CJA process is too slow and allows a rave to still carry on for some hours, whilst the superintendent is located.

AFAIK the cops don’t even need to show anyone anything, nor does it have to even be a senior officer who issues a direction to leave.

A mere bobby can do so, and you are simply supposed to take their word for it. They can in fact tell you to move on from anywhere for any reason other than raves. (they are unlikely to abuse their powers at raves though for the simple reason that in these situations there are usually rather more ravers present than cops and many are often quite scared, so they would have ensured they could get backup!)

Some forces issue pre-printed “anti-rave” packs which have a letter issued to participants, which explains the cops reasons for their actions and also contain the usual “raves are anti-social and dangerous” stuff.

when the cops do not provide paperwork they usually cover their behinds by ensuring that at least one person whom they think is an “organiser” (usually any DJ or person near a rig) and the most senior officer present verbally issues the warning whilst either a police helicopter or a video equipped traffic unit is filming them

This ensures a secure data file with video, audio, timecode and GPS location is provided, which can be used as evidence in court to prove the order was given in a certain place at a certain time. (its only fairly recently the cops have had all this nice high-tech stuff).

as for seizure, cops are highly unlikely to seize anything if you are packing down in a peaceful manner and planning to leave the site once they have given the S63. I am not aware in 15 years of cops seizing equipment at a party which is already finishing.

OTOH if people are being slow and slack about it or going on about “squatters rights”, or it is a venue which has been used multiple times with previous complaints of damage/disrpution they can and will get heavier.

Worse still if anyone is taunting the cops and/or throwing anything at them (even soft things like plastic bottles) they will call a “code 00” incident which means they are “under attack”and then the TSG (riot squad) can use whatever force they deem necessary to clear the area.

remember that with their new comms systems a couple of bobbies can obtain backup far quicker than ever before – and if CJA powers are being used it means you have pissed off the locals – at that time it is better to stand down and find somewhere else to party.