Punters Kicked Out Of Sydney Dance Event Without Drugs Planning Legal Action Against Police

A number of punters who were kicked out of Sydney's Midnight Mafia rave last month for failed drug searches could be launching a potential class action against NSW Police. 

As Hack reports, more than 150 festival-goers were denied entry into the event despite being searched and found with no drugs and of that number, around 30 are considering legal action. 

Similar to the controversy surrounding last weekend's Above & Beyond concert in Sydney, police refused entry to punters who were approached by sniffer dogs, regardless if they were eventually found with drugs or not. 

According to a police report, 187 people were searched and evicted from the Midnight Mafia event on 5 May and only 35 were found with drugs. 

"Even though each individual's claim may be relatively small - the loss of enjoyment, going to a concert, the personal difficulties they have on their night, the loss of ticket, or the travel costs - but when you bring all of these claims together that's when you have a viable action," Greens MP David Shoebridge told Hack.

"That's when you get the critical mass to hold organisations the size of the NSW Police to account."

read more:

• Punters Allegedly Denied Entry Into Sydney Rave By Police Despite Failed Drug Searches

• Sydney Punter Hit With Six-month Ban Despite Failed Drug Search At Dance Event

• Court Refuse To Hear Case Against NSW Police's Threat To Ban Punters From Syd Dance Event

Of the potential legal action against NSW Police, Shoebridge said, "We really are just trying to work out the most viable course of action whether it's a case that the police exceeded their statutory powers, whether the police potentially engaged in what's called an intentional tort of trespass against individuals.

"Or it may even be based on consumer protection laws.

"There's undoubtedly a significant civil wrong that's been done but we just need to be sure we have the most viable course of action."

Shoebridge's comments come after one man was given a six-month ban from Sydney Olympic Park after attempting to enter the Above & Beyond show, despite being found with no drugs.

Shoebridge and the Greens failed to obtain an injunction against NSW Police in court just one day before the concert.