Alert over air raids on pirates

Alert over air raids on the pirates (Birmingham Mail circa 1985) BIRMINGHAM'S pirate radio station PCRL yesterday warned of renewed tension on city streets if they are forced off the air. The warning followed a 24-hour break in transmission when Government officials raided their secret base for the fifth time in two weeks. The illegal People's Community Radio Line, which caters for black and Asian listeners, had all its studio equipment seized in the swoop by trade and industry officials last week. A leading spokesman for PCRL said they went through a mad scramble to find a new base and replace equipment after each raid to prevent trouble flaring. "There is already a lot of frustration in the community. We help to keep the lid on it, providing a vital communications channel for the young unemployed," he said. by CLAIRE WOLFE "If we are silenced for more than two weeks, it will heighten tension and trouble could break out. People take these raids as a personal attack." A Department of Trade and Industry spokeswoman said they would continue the crackdown, because of complaints that the station interfered with emergency radio services. A police spokesman said PCRL had the voice of a certain section of the community. The PCRL spokesman said they set up illegally after their attempts to win approval failed.