£10k fines for students found hosting parties
POLICE CAUGHT AROUND 70 REVELLERS AT ONE FLAT IN CITY
POLICE found dozens of people attending illicit parties being hosted by two university students.
The pair have each been fined £10,000 for breaching Covid-19 rules.
At one gathering in Derby’s
Wardwick up to 70 people were found in a student flat, and at another party in Gower Street more than 30 people were told to leave.
Both incidents, which took place on December 6 and 13, were serious breaches of the Tier 3 coronavirus rules currently in place across Derbyshire. Professor Kathryn Mitchell, vice-chancellor of the University of Derby, said it was “extremely disappointed” at the “unacceptable behaviour” of the two students, who could also face potential disciplinary action after an investigation.
TWO University of Derby students have each been fined £10,000 for hosting house parties attended by scores of people that breached Covid-19 regulations.
Vice-chancellor Professor Kathryn Mitchell said the university was “extremely disappointed” at the fines and warned that the pair could also face potential disciplinary action.
The party organisers are the first in the city and wider county to receive the maximum fine which can be handed out by police for the most serious breaches of Covid-19 rules.
The first fine was issued when officers found a gathering of up to 70 people at a flat in the Wardwick at around 1.15am on Sunday, December 6.
The party-goers were forced to leave and the organiser, a 19-year-old student, was handed the £10,000 fine.
The latest fine was issued when officers found more than 30 people at a party inside a flat in Gower Street, in the early hours of Sunday, December 13.
A £10,000 fine was given to the 20-year-old student whose flat it is.
The county is currently in Tier 3, where the rules stipulate there must be no mixing of households indoors, or most outdoor places, apart from where families have formed a support bubble.
Detective Chief Inspector Emlyn Richards, of Derbyshire police, said: “I was really disappointed when the county saw its first £10,000 Covid fine handed out, but to be followed by another a week later is very dishearten
We are extremely disappointed... This is unacceptable behaviour. Professor Kathryn Mitchell
ing. Over the course of the pandemic, the public of Derbyshire have, on the whole, conducted themselves very well. In particular we have not seen the issues that other cities have seen in relation to gatherings - and that was a real positive for the city and wider county. However, if these fines do anything I hope they act as a real warning to anyone who thinks about hosting a party of any kind.
“Officers will always try and engage, educate and encourage people around the regulations – but where we find serious breaches such as this we will not hesitate to enforce the maximum possible fines. We should all be doing our utmost to protect ourselves, our friends and our families from this virus and organising events like these is simply not acceptable.” Derbyshire police confirmed officers are liaising with the university over the two incidents.
Professor Mitchell said: “We are extremely disappointed that two of our students have been issued with a fine for hosting a party, in breach of Covid-19 regulations.
“This is unacceptable behaviour that has not only resulted in a significant financial penalty but potential disciplinary action by the University. We are assisting Derbyshire Constabulary with its enquiries, as well as conducting our own internal investigation.
“We know that the overwhelming majority of our students have adhered to the Covid-19 rules, however, this still does not take away from the seriousness of these incidents.
“Throughout the pandemic, we have stressed the importance to our students of taking personal responsibility for their own safety, and the safety of others, by fully complying with Covid-19 guidance. All students have been asked to commit to our ‘Together Pledge’, which was developed by the University and the Union of Students earlier in the year.
“We urge our students to think twice about hosting any social gatherings across the festive period or beyond that breach Covid-19 rules and put people at risk. Failure to comply with government and University guidance and regulations will be taken extremely seriously and, where necessary, we will take action, including disciplinary, in order to protect both the city and our University community.”
Meanwhile, police are also investigating an alleged rave in an old quarry off Snitterton Road, Matlock,
Officers found people at the site in the early hours of Sunday, December 13. The music equipment was seized and those present dispersed.