Source · Prevention of Future Deaths

Max Carlton-Smith

Ref: 2015-0007 Date: 14 Jan 2015 Coroner: Andrew Harris Area: London (Inner South) 1 response identified · 1 indexed addressee View PDF

AI-generated concerns summaryThe coroner noted the absence of on-site medical assistance, delayed emergency response, inadequate ventilation, and unregulated fire exits at an unlicensed rave. The report also identified police's limited powers to proactively prevent such events in squatted commercial premises and insufficient resources for intervention.

Date 14 Jan 2015

56-day deadline 11 Mar 2015 est. estimated from the report date

Responses identified 1 of 1

Hospital Death (Clinical Procedures and medical management) related deaths

Coroner's concerns

AI summary

The coroner noted the absence of on-site medical assistance, delayed emergency response, inadequate ventilation, and unregulated fire exits at an unlicensed rave. The report also identified police's limited powers to proactively prevent such events in squatted commercial premises and insufficient resources for intervention.

View full coroner's concerns

_ The MATTER OF CONCERN is as follows_ The organizers of the unlicensed rave had not provided on-site medical assistance and had spent between 12and 42 minutes before calling the ambulance service, when the deceased collapsed: There was inadequate ventilation for a very hot venue; and fire exits and procedure had not been regulated_ The organizers had taken over an empty squatted commercial building and barricaded against those who attempted to enter, (including police; who attended and spoke earlier to a security man and then later following complaints of noise): concluded that had the event been licensed and normal facilities and regulation in place; he would probably not have died when he did Police evidence was that had no power to enter (nor had the ambulance service) a commercial premises (as opposed to private premises) that had been squatted unless a crime had been committed or in an emergency: There were not resources available on this weekend to close down the venue when the rave was place, without diverting all the officers in the borough force. It was reported that the MPS now has disseminated to boroughs notice of a facility to access officers from other areas and that borough police were more likely to intervene in the future. In the event it was reported that 21 officers attended but people left and evaded statements or gave false contact details, so that none of the organizers or_staff_have been traced they taking the

DS Howell specifically recommended that this report be written as the police would like the power to enter squatted commercial premises, to prevent an illegal rave being held, which was more efficient and effective than trying to intervene when it was in operation Given the increased risks of death associated with unlicensed raves, these proposals would seem to prevent future deaths.

Responses

1 respondent

Home Office

Central Government

PDF

AI-classified response stance Noted

AI-generated response summary

• The Home Office stated its assessment that police possess sufficient powers under sections 63 and 64 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 to prevent and stop illegal raves. • It outlined the powers available to police superintendents to direct individuals to leave and remove property from illegal raves. • It described the authority for police constables to enter land and seize vehicles or sound equipment under certain conditions.

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Home Office Home SECRETARY 2 Marsham Street; London SWIP 4DF wwwhomeoffice-gov.uk Dr Andrew Harris Senior Coroner; London Inner South Southwark Coroner's Court 1 Tennis Street Southwark 3 0 MAR 2015 London SE1 1YD 5 Hsa Thank you for your report of 30 December 2014 about the death of Mr Max Carlton- Smith following his attendance at an illegal rave_ appreciate the concerns you raise in relation to the circumstances of Mr Carlton- Smith's death and the concerns raised by lof the Metropolitan Police Service in relation to preventing illegal raves being held . Our assessment is that the police have sufficient powers under sections 63 and 64 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 (as amended by the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003) to both prevent and stop illegal raves Under section 63 of the Act an officer not below the rank of Superintendent may direct that people preparing for and attending an illegal rave must leave and remove any vehicles or property that they have with them, if are trespassers This power applies both to residential and commercial premises. Failure to comply with such a direction is a criminal offence with sentences of up to 3 months imprisonment andlor a €2,500 fine_ Section 64 provides that if a' police officer of at least the rank of Superintendent reasonably believes that circumstances exist that could lead to direction being made under section 63, he may authorise any police constable to enter the land to: ascertain whether such circumstances exist; exercise any power conferred on the constable by section 63; and to seize any vehicle or sound equipment in the possession of anyone subject to a direction under section 63 . The use of these powers is of course an operational matter for the police. they

hope that this addresses the concerns raised in the report: am copying this letter to the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police and the Chief Coroner The Rt Hon Theresa May MP

Report sections

Investigation and inquest

On 6th September 2013, opened an inquest into the death of: Max Carlton-Smith; aged 21 years, died 1st September 2013 concluded the inquest at a full hearing on 5th December 2014-The medical cause of death was multi-organ failure from MDMAecstasy overdose.

Circumstances of the death

Max Carlton-Smith was found in cardiac arrest by LAS at 05.32 in after taking MDMA at an illegal rave nearby: He had collapsed after being intoxicated in a trance and those attending did not summon emergency medical assistance immediately. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 06.23 on 01.09.13 at Kings College Hospital. He died of an accidental drug overdose

Action should be taken

In my opinion action, should be taken to consider this or other legislative change that might prevent future deaths_ believe that the Secretary of State is in a position to consider who would be most appropriate to take such action.

Similar PFD reports

Shared signals

Report details

Reference: 2015-0007
Date of report: 14 January 2015
Coroner: Andrew Harris
Coroner area: London (Inner South)

Responses identified

Responses identified 1 of 1

All listed responses identified

Organisations named in PFD reports are normally expected to respond within 56 days. Deadline: 11 Mar 2015 (estimated from the report date).

Sent to

Department of Health and Social Care

Source links

Judiciary.uk page → Report PDF →

Data: judiciary.uk.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.