Police fear ‘last days of Rome’ blowouts as new restrictions loom

POLICE are bracing themselves for a weekend of pre-lockdown blowouts as partygoers plan one last hurrah before new coronavirus restrictions are introduced on Monday.

Forces across the country are expecting a busy weekend in pubs and bars but also fear a surge in the number of unlawful gatherings such as raves and large house parties.

While groups of up to 30 people will still be allowed to socialise legally this weekend, that figure drops to six from midnight on Sunday.

Front-line officers in some parts of the country have expressed concern that the public may throw caution to the wind in the coming days because they fear even tighter restrictions are in the pipeline.

Dozens of people posted on social media to announce their plans to host parties ahead of the new measures.

In some parts of the country, forces have been struggling to deal with illegal raves, where hundreds of young people gather for spontaneous parties in the open air. These events have proved a headache for police to control as they often turn violent when they are broken up.

It is feared that organisers will use the excuse of looming strict measures to host such events, ignoring the fact they can face fines of £10,000 under the coronavirus regulations.

One officer based in the North East said: “We are worried this weekend is going to be like the last days of Rome. If people think they are not going to be allowed to go out and enjoy themselves for the next few months they are going to go crazy and we will be left picking up the pieces.”

Senior police leaders have expressed concern over their ability to enforce the coronavirus restrictions given the current surge in traditional crime.

One senior officer said: “Policing the regulations is a very labour-intensive operation and I’m not sure where the resources will come from. We have the power to impose £10,000 fines for organisers of large-scale, unlawful gatherings and that is very helpful, but if thousands of people chose to ignore the restrictions this weekend, it is extremely difficult to police effectively.”

Brian Booth, the chairman of the Police Federation in West Yorkshire, said: “With crime back up to pre-covid levels we are flat out again doing the everyday things, such as dealing with stabbings, shootings, drug dealers, missing people.

“So if we are going to be asked to focus on enforcement, something else will have to give.”

This weekend also sees the start of the new Premier League season and while matches are being played behind closed doors, there is concern that fans will instead flock to pubs showing the matches.

Merseyside police are urging fans to stay at home and watch Liverpool’s opening match against Leeds United safely. Supt Paul White added: “As the city prepares for the start of the new football season, we are continuing to remind fans that with games still being held behind closed doors, there is no benefit to going to the ground.”

Martin Hewitt, chairman of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, urged people to remain sensible as they move into the new phase of restrictions.