First £800 fines for illegal revellers
PENALTIES IMPOSED JUST HOURS AFTER INTRODUCTION
A DJ set-up was was found in Nottingham flats after 21 rule breakers ignored the Covid lockdown for a student party.
New fines of £800 have been imposed for the first time in Nottinghamshire to the 21 people at this weekend’s party.
The tougher fines were issued just hours after they being introduced nationally for anyone attending a party of more than 15 people.
The DJ gear was in a communal area of the flats in Castle Boulevard, near The Park, which patrolling police discovered at around 1.15am on Saturday after hearing loud music.
Officers say they also found “lots” of empty alcohol containers and nitrous oxide canisters.
Superintendent Ted Antill said: “The vast majority of people in Nottinghamshire who have been making great sacrifices to follow the national lockdown legislation will be rightly appalled at the behaviour of this minority of people who are carrying on regardless.
“The lockdown legislation doesn’t allow mixing indoors with people you don’t live with or have a support bubble with, so for 21 people to gather is blatantly flouting the law and there is no excuse for it.
“Covid-19 thrives where there is social contact and while the NHS continues to be under such pressure, large gatherings continue to pose a significant risk to public health.
“This is exactly why the Government has had to take the step of introducing tougher new fines of £800.
“These fines will also double for each repeat offence to a maximum of £6,400.
“I hope this will make people think twice before they behave in a way that so obviously breaches the current restrictions.”
Police also issued £200 fines at two smaller gatherings.
Ten people were given fixed penalty notices at a property in Gregory Avenue, Lenton, at 2.15am yesterday.
Four had their penalties increased to £400 for being repeat offenders.
Officers found a buffet, a poker table and bottles of alcohol.
Nine people were also fined £200 at a house party in Harrington Drive, Lenton, at around 11.30pm on Friday.
One person tried to block a bedroom door and two were found hiding under a bed, police say.
Superintendent Antill added: “None of our officers want to have to fine people for doing something that in normal times would be totally acceptable. However, these are not normal times and it is now universally understood that social contact is how this virus spreads.
“Again I’d like to thank everyone who is helping contain the spread of Covid and reduce the pressure of the NHS by adhering to the current restrictions, and thank them for their support in the action we are taking against the few who put the safety of others at risk through their thoughtless behaviour.”
Police fined 11 people after being called to two other house parties in Nottinghamshire. Nine people – a man and eight women – were fined £200 at a property in Alexandra Street, Kirkby-in-ashfield, at around 1am on Saturday.
And a man and a woman were each fined £200 at an gathering in Short Street, Sutton-in-ashfield, at around 10pm on Friday.
Ashfield District Commander Inspector Mark Dickson said: “In the UK we have had more than 104,000 deaths, more than 35,000 people are currently in hospital with the virus and the NHS is working relentlessly to save lives. “The national restrictions are quite clear and blatant breaches such as these will be tackled robustly. If you choose to hold an illegal gathering then we will take action, in line with the Government direction, in order to reduce the spread of this deadly virus, save lives and protect the NHS.”
For 21 people to gather is blatantly flouting the law and there is no excuse for it
Superintendent Ted Antill