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Leeds Live
Leeds Live
National
Robert Sutcliffe

£20,000 of music gear seized by police in Chapeltown over fears of huge street party

Police have seized £20,000 of music equipment today from an address in the Chapeltown area of Leeds.

Speakers and other sound equipment was found in a garden and was suspected of being kept for an unlicensed music event.

Enquiries are continuing to identify the owner and event organiser.

Supt Chris Bowen of West Yorkshire Police said: "Our priority over this Bank Holiday weekend is to keep our communities safe from the spread of coronavirus.

“Unlicensed music events and large gatherings of people only serve to spread this deadly virus, and we will take action against those who organise and attend them."

The seizure comes just one day before the Leeds West Indian Carnival is traditionally held in Chapeltown - although this year's event has been cancelled, with organisers urging people to join in the virtual event from home instead.

A huge stack of speakers were seized during a raid on a property in Chapeltown (West Yorkshire Police)

West Yorkshire Police and Leeds City Council warned people that new orders had been put in place to give officers extra power to stop unlicensed music events.

Eight people were fined £10,000 each for organising three separate illicit parties held in Leeds yesterday (Saturday), while another street party was broken up by officers in Harehills.

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