Police break up wedding party for Covid breach

POLICE broke up a wedding party, an engagement bash and two house parties being held in breach of coronavirus restrictions on the same night.

Greater Manchester Police said officers went to a house in Rochdale where people were celebrating an engagement. The home owner was fined.

GMP tweeted on Friday night: “Officers have dispersed an Engagement party in Rochdale.

“The occupant was given 30 minutes to disperse attendees and the homeowner was issued with a fixed penalty notice.”

They also said a wedding party at a private address was underway in Rochdale, with at least 30 people attending, while house parties in Middleton and Heywood had 50 and 25 guests respectively.

Restrictions on social gatherings remain in force across Greater Manchester, as concerns remain about the level of cases across the region.

Rochdale council leader Allen Brett said he had ‘some sympathy’ with people getting married, but if they were in private addresses that was not within the rules.

He said: “I’m regularly getting emails reporting events taking place. The police, if they know about them, will tell them to stop. We all have to follow the rules. I have got some sympathy with weddings, but I was under the impression that provided there is social distancing you can still have 30 - but in a venue.”

Legislation introduced to enforce the regulations allows police to fine people £100 with a fixed penalty notice.

Infection rates in Rochdale remain on amber alert, with 40.0 cases per 100,000 population in the week ending August 20, behind Oldham and Manchester in Greater Manchester. At the end of last month, the government announced that across Greater Manchester people from different households would not be able to meet indoors. There are exceptions, including for those within a support bubble.

On Friday, local restrictions were further tightened in Oldham and parts of Lancashire.

Coun Brett is due to meet Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to discuss the latest restrictions, later this week.

Meanwhile Chief Constable Ian Hopkins says his officers have been faced with tough decisions when enforcing coronavirus regulations.

Police officers were called out to a terminally ill child’s birthday party following concerns that those in attendance were breaking lockdown rules.

The incident was dealt with over “a quiet word” according to the chief, who was speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live on Monday.

“It feels a bit like we can’t win,” he admitted.