Backing for rise in house party fines
STUDENTS AND RESIDENTS HOPE £800 WILL ACT AS DETERRENT
RESIDENTS of a Nottingham neighbourhood heavily populated with students have welcomed the new £800 fine for those caught attending house parties.
On Thursday, the Home Secretary announced that fines for gatherings of 15 or more people would be increased from £200. This will then double with each repeat offence, up to a maximum of £6,400.
Nottinghamshire Police has fined a number of students – as well as people who aren’t students – for breaching Covid regulations. The first £10,000 fine in the country was handed out to a 19-year-old University of Nottingham student who held a house party in Harlaxton Drive, Lenton.
Students and other residents in Lenton have said the increased fine should act as a better deterrent for rule breakers, but some have said they would still like to see Nottingham’s universities take greater action with students flouting rules off campus.
The new fines come into force this week.
Kate Loewenthal, chair of Lenton Drives and Neighbours Residents’ Association, said: “Right now there are quite a few students here. Some have returned because of their assessments this month.
“There’s not been any parties so far this year as far as I know.
“I think the increased fine is an important deterrent because people are showing a complete disregard for the rules and for the NHS.
“I think if the universities clamped down with more serious consequences too, then that would be a big deterrent too.”
Another resident, John Keane, a 46-year-old social worker who has lived in Lenton for 22 years, said: “I do think the bigger fine is a good thing because £200 didn’t get the message across, but those who really want to host parties still will, I think.”
Aidan Cooke, a third-year University of Nottingham philosophy and physics student who lives in Lenton, said: “I’ve come back because I had a exam this week and would have struggled to sit it at home.
“I agree, a bigger fine is a good thing. But while restrictions are here there will be those who choose not to follow them regardless.
“If I had to pay a £800 fine as a student, it would completely cripple me. Hopefully more students take that view.”
Students Joe Stewart and Amber Chow also live in Lenton.
Joe, who is 24 and studying illustration at Nottingham Trent University, said: “I agree with the increased fine. It’s a lot of money to people like students.
“Socialising is a big part of university so I don’t think everyone will listen unfortunately. Hopefully a lot less students think they can get away with it.”
Amber, studying philosophy at the University of Nottingham, added: “I think students really need to appreciate the situation the country is in. It’s been really tough for us but it’s not a excuse for breaking the rules.”
Nottinghamshire Police have commended the introduction of the increased fine.
Assistant chief constable Steve Cooper said: “I think this is about putting a marker in the sand.
“It only takes a handful of these parties to ruin all the work we have done.
“It is a way of dissuading irresponsible behaviour. £200 may not seem a lot of money to some people but £800 is a lot of money to everyone.”
A spokesperson for Nottingham Trent University said: “Where we have evidence of students not doing so, there are consequences under our disciplinary processes which can include community service, fines, and possible exclusion.”
A spokesperson for the University of Nottingham added: “Where a minority breach the guidelines, the university supports robust action by Nottinghamshire Police, and takes disciplinary action under our Student Code, where fines, campus sanctions and even exclusion are potential outcomes.”