The Sunday Times June 28, 2020 9 NEWS Gangsters ALAMY bankroll illegal raves to sell drugs

Manchester police say by organised criminals,” said a police source. “The clubs and bars in Manches- DJs are being paid to put ter are currently shut due to lockdown. Criminals are adapting by using these ille- on a ‘crazy summer’ of gal raves to supply pills, cocaine, canna- outdoor parties so bis, MDMA and ketamine. Laughing gas canisters are also very popular. criminals can cash in “A gang that controls the drug supply of a 4,000-person rave event stands to make an enormous amount of money.” David Collins Northern Correspondent One teenager at the Oldham rave in Daisy Nook country park said it was DJs are being bankrolled by gangsters to “crazy” how many dealers were in organise “festival-sized” raves across the attendance. “The dealers were on the country this summer, police in Man- roads leading to the park and there were chester believe. quite a few inside the rave,” said Melissa The gangs have in effect set up market- Cook, 18. “They were quite brazen. I saw places for class-A drugs by arranging one guy waving a bag of pills. They mass gatherings in open countryside offered ketamine and ecstasy.” around the northwest of England. More With official festivals such as Glaston- than 7,000 people have flocked to raves bury cancelled, police fear partygoers in Carrington and Oldham and a large from across Britain will travel to the Scottish sheep destined for Hungary were trucked to Ramsgate in Kent and ferried across the Channel by a private contractor, according to reports street party in Moss Side this month. northwest for a “crazy summer” of illegal At these unregulated parties two men raves. Unlicensed mass events have not were shot dead, three people were been common in the northwest since the stabbed, a young woman was raped and a 1990s, when thousands descended on Animal welfare campaigners flock to condemn 20-year-old died from a drugs overdose. derelict warehouses in Blackburn and Police say they have intelligence farms in Cheshire and north Wales for reports warning of a summer of “giant weekend parties. “Organisers would pay ‘inhumane’ export of Scots sheep across Europe raves” and have made two arrests in rela- rent to a farmer to use their land for a tion to an event being organised in north rave,” said Beate Peter, a researcher in Manchester next weekend. electronic dance music at Manchester Mark Macaskill absolute nonsense that The only other ferry operator Spain is due to be heard in destined for breeding or to be Police in Staffordshire, Kent and the Metropolitan University. “Some farmers Scotland is exporting sheep out of the Scottish port is Edinburgh’s Court of Session kept as pets are transported capital are also dealing with mass would place provisions on the party, such Animal welfare campaigners to Hungary during a time Stena, but it docks at Belfast in October. by P&O from Dover to Calais. gatherings. Last week 22 officers were as allowing no more than 2,000 people.” have raised fresh concern when the world is looking which does not accept It is understood Scottish The body said it is not hurt when they broke up a street party in The police and council in Manchester over the “inhumane” export at ways to produce food live imports. sheep destined for Hungary involved in movements out of south London. are trying to stop a big event in Boggart of live animals after it more sustainably.” On Friday, a spokesman are trucked to Ramsgate in Ramsgate and it does not Oli Wilson, son of Tony Wilson, the Hole Clough, an area of ancient wood- emerged that sheep from The disclosure, in for P&O, which banned the Kent and ferried across the monitor exports to Ireland, “Mr Manchester” impresario who land in north Manchester. Detectives are Scotland are trucked for 70 documents released under transport of Scottish calves Channel by a private which it classes as a founded the Haçienda, the UK’s most hunting five DJs involved in organising it. hours across Europe to be freedom of information, to Ireland in 2018 after it contractor. A UK government “domestic movement”. famous rave club, said the illegal raves Word of the event is circulating on fattened and slaughtered. have triggered an emerged the animals were official confirmed that up to A spokeswoman added: were “casting a shadow” on the free WhatsApp: “Wanna see you there. Block Compassion In World investigation by Europe’s being sent to continental 680 animals left the English “We are not against the party movement. Party — 4th July, 3pm till late. Competi- Farming (CIWF) expressed largest ferry operator. Europe, said it was port in three separate transport of live animals “These illegal rave parties are being tions for a chance to win the Cash Prize. anger this weekend after the P&O, based in Dover, investigating the matter and consignments in March. abroad provided regulations organised by idiots who don’t give a shit Special guest will be there!” UK government’s Animal permits livestock intended “will not hesitate to act In 2019, sheep from are enforced and complied about what they are doing,” he said. Wilson says Manchester was under- and Plant Health Agency for fattening or slaughter to decisively”. A court case England were sent to with. Exporting breeding Pat Karney, a senior Manchester coun- going a resurgence in “free party” events (APHA) admitted that be transported on its route raised by CIWF against Hungary on one occasion. animals is an important cillor, said: “These events require a lot of before the lockdown. “I think these hundreds of sheep were sent between Cairnryan, on Scottish ministers for alleged The official said the part of improving money to set up. It appears that criminals illegal raves we’ve seen are a real shame to Hungary in March. Scotland’s west coast, and animal welfare breaches government is committed to productivity, and ensuring are providing the cash to set up the raves, and have cast a shadow on the whole Ministers on both sides of Larne in Northern Ireland, over exports of calves to improving the welfare of animal genetic diversity at which have six or seven DJs along with all free-party movement,” he said. the border are being urged to but insists that animals animals during transport, home and abroad.” the generator equipment. “We had a lot of parties before lock- ban the trade amid claims “remain within the United and ending excessively Andrew McCornick, “The gangs will then make large profits down. One under Mancunian Way [a that after enduring a tortuous Kingdom”. long journeys for slaughter president of NFU Scotland, from a ready-made marketplace of motorway] was a beautiful occasion full 1,500-mile journey, the Transport logs held by and fattening. But Glen, said the “world-class quality” thousands of potential customers in one of great music. It was properly organised animals are slaughtered APHA state that some animals who has trailed trucks of Scottish lamb makes it place. These events are dangerous. We and done with the authorities. within weeks of arrival. leaving Cairnryan are exporting sheep from the “highly sought after are doing everything to stop them. This “It feels like all the kids are just run- “It is inhumane to force destined for the Republic of UK to mainland Europe, throughout Europe”. He said includes targeting the DJs and the music ning around like lunatics in Manchester animals to spend almost Ireland, which is not part I’ve seen claims to have witnessed the number of live sheep shops selling them generators.” at the moment. It’s perhaps about frus- three days in transit before of the UK. “much suffering”, including exported from Scotland is Karney said police and council officers tration during lockdown, but I think it’s being killed,” said Peter Of 18 consignments of sheep travel overcrowding, illness and “a very small percentage” of were informing DJs that they would also about wider problems in society.” Stevenson, the charity’s chief sheep — 14 from Scotland limbs trapped in the slats the total number of sheep “never work again” in the bars and clubs Lord Blair, the former Metropolitan policy adviser. “There is no and four from England — for hours in of the trucks. “I’ve seen sold here. “It is important of Manchester if they became involved. police commissioner, said illegal protests excuse for this.” exported to the Republic of animals travelling for hours in that any exporting of Officers disrupted 13 raves in Greater and raves were putting officers at risk: “It Nicola Glen, from Eyes on Ireland between January 1 temperatures temperatures of over 30C livestock from Scotland meets Manchester last weekend. “We have evi- cannot be right that this level of injury to Animals, said: “It really is and April 22, five were for whilst in full fleece.” the high-welfare transport dence to suggest that some of these officers is seen as acceptable.” time for the UK to put an end “fattening”. Each of the of over 30C The National Sheep requirements which we events have been financially supported @DavidCollinsST to this abhorrent trade. It is shipments left Cairnryan. Association said animals have set here at home.” Go directly to lockdown Peas in our time will cut emissions and in Covid, the board game create jobs, Scottish farmers are told

Tony Allen-Mills be desperate to escape the to navigate a street, saving up Mark Macaskill It urges farmers to cultivate the custodians of our natural further and play a full role in many areas of the country, coronavirus, but game to seven billion lives by more peas and beans as part resources, and now we need supporting the government they say. Bored with waiting for developers see a chance to dodging the “infectious Farmers are being asked to of a green-protein strategy them to be custodians of our reach its world-leading “On the other hand, with normal life to resume? It may turn disaster into profit- radius” of other pavement “give peas a chance” by that could make farming climate as well. It’s a huge targets on emissions,” he said. more than three million be time for the family to play spinning fun. Inspired by the users. When I tried it I saved growing more vegetables to “circular”, reduce waste and ask, and we can’t expect Professor Derek Stewart, of hectares of permanent grass, Corona Wars: Survival, an success of Pandemic, a board only 13 lives before bumping drive down carbon emissions emissions, and create jobs. them to do it all themselves. the James Hutton Institute, heather and rough grazing, “exciting” card game inviting game inspired by the Sars into someone — “Game over: and help Scotland tackle ZWS highlights peas and It’s about all of us.” said a protein strategy for Scotland is ideally placed to you “to fight your friends or outbreak of 2002-4, designers you are confined.” climate change. beans as valuable crops that Jonnie Hall, NFU Scotland’s Scotland was a “rallying call” use cattle and sheep to form alliances while are rushing out Covid-themed Less lofty aims feature in Scientists warn that a sea absorb nitrogen from the director of policy, said year- to deliver on Scotland’s convert natural sources of controlling a faction in a post- ideas — of varying degrees of Hoarding Time, a Belgian change in diet and the way atmosphere back into the on-year reductions in carbon emission reduction roughage into valuable Covid virus world”. tastefulness. board game “about crazy land is used to feed the nation soil, to act as a natural emissions from agriculture targets “while offering protein for human Or why not try the More than 300 games with hoarders with a toilet paper is required. This includes fertiliser. Insect farming is between 2017 and 2018 major new opportunities for consumption through our Monopoly-like fun of Infected! Covid or similar themes have fetish”, while Bog Roll Builder cutting down on carbon- also among the opportunities highlighted how Scotland’s growth in the Scottish food more extensive livestock The Covid-19 Board Game? Try been counted on fundraising is a “two-player dexterity intensive foods such as meat it identifies as a “game- farmers and crofters are and drink sector”. farming systems that are to accumulate loo paper and sites such as Kickstarter and game” in which you compete and dairy by at least one-fifth changer”. ZWS estimates “rising to the challenge” to However, farming leaders anything but carbon- hand sanitiser — but don’t in forums such as Board to build “bog roll” structures per person and reducing food that up to £800m could be tackle climate change. warn that the “physical intensive,” said Hall. land on the “self-quarantine” Game Geek. Not all are such as the Taj Mahal or the waste by the same amount. saved each year in the beer, “While recent greenhouse constraints” of the Scottish “The output is world- space (you’ll lose your turn). commercially motivated. One Great Pyramid of Giza. Zero Waste Scotland whisky and fish sectors gas emission figures from the landscape “severely limit” famous Scotch beef, lamb Then there’s Delivirus, a of the first to appear in But watch out for Corona (ZWS), a publicly funded through better use of waste Scottish government confirm the opportunity to increase and milk. That commitment card game that challenges Britain was Can You Save the Wars: Survival. Just when you body, said a “national effort” and by-products. that the industry has reduced production of grains and to producing the best in you to “avoid symptoms at all World?, a computer game to think you’ve beaten off the is needed if Scotland is to Iain Gulland, the ZWS its emissions by almost 30% vegetables. Switching to local, sustainable, high- costs”. teach children social virus, the zombie apocalypse meet a net-zero carbon chief executive, said: since 1990, we recognise as alternative agricultural quality food is valued by The rest of the world may distancing. Their challenge is arrives. emissions target by 2045. “Farmers have always been an industry that me must go production is not an option in Scottish consumers.”

Dig out your wallet and sound Reveille: coal and military museums first to reopen

Grant Tucker opting for the earliest restaurants and car parking. furloughing its core staff. The National Gallery, in director of the Roald Dahl Arts Correspondent possible date, as will the With prospective visitor Other national museums Trafalgar Square, did not Museum in Great Missenden, Yorkshire Air Museum in numbers so low, it said it will outline their plans this furlough staff and is expected Buckinghamshire, said he Big museums are being slow York. The Royal Air Force could not afford to take staff week. Staff still on furlough at to open next week, the first of aimed to open in September to reopen, but if you like Museum in Hendon, north off furlough. the Tate, the British Museum, the big museums. with personalised family planes, coal or pregnant London, reopens two days It was important for the and the V&A — all in London — Up the road, the Royal tours. women you are in luck. later, and on July 7 the National Army Museum in have been unable to assist Academy of Arts is planning In an effort to bring a little Coping better with the National Army Museum in Chelsea to reopen, said its with reopening plans because to reopen at 20% capacity, levity to the lockdown, introduction of one-way Chelsea, west London, will director-general, Justin the job-retention scheme Thursday to Sunday from curators worldwide are being systems and adapting welcome visitors six days a Maciejewski, because it forbids working while 11am to 4pm, so visitors avoid asked to compete online for booking software for timed week. The Foundling received £6.4m a year of receiving government funds. travelling at peak times. the accolade of “best bum” in slots — and in many cases Museum in central London public funds. “The public give Drawing up one-way For the minuscule Sewing a museum. The Yorkshire happy to operate at 20% kicks off on July 8 with an us that money because they systems is a mammoth task Machine Museum in Tooting, Museum, in York, got the ball capacity — small museums exhibition about pregnancy. want us to fulfil our mission, for the British Museum, southwest London, social rolling with a picture of the are racing ahead to open in But Yorkshire Sculpture which is to tell the story of which covers 277,000 sq ft. It distancing is not an option, marble behind of an athletic the next week or two. Park near Wakefield will our army. We can’t tell that also has to design booking while the British Dental Roman statuette, but entry is The Museum of the Gorge, remain shut, even though it is story if our doors are closed.” systems that can cope with Museum in Marylebone must also open to the derrières of in Telford, will open its coal open air over a 500-acre site, Also the museum had “fuel timed slots and keep visitor wait until its volunteers, most paintings, animals, skeletons, and iron museum and replica because 80% of its income in the tank” from a surplus details for 21 days to help NHS of whom are retired, feel safe insects and even vehicles. Victorian town on July 4, comes from its gift shop, last year and had avoided The open-air Yorkshire Sculpture Park is not reopening yet track and trace. to travel in. Steve Gardam, @GrantTucker