Police were forced to break up a 70-person rave this weekend as revellers insisted they are ‘sick of self-isolation’ – and dozens more flouted social distancing rules to attend a baby shower.
Officers in Telford said they shut down a ‘mass gathering’ at the Granville Country Park in Shropshire on Saturday amid the coronavirus lockdown.
In a series of tweets, officers explained they were ‘shocked that people would care so little’ about the restrictions on social gathering, which have been in place for weeks due to the pandemic.
It comes as the UK announced a further 114 deaths from coronavirus today on the first Sunday since draconian lockdown measures were eased.
Under the new guidelines, Britons can now meet with one person from outside their immediate household so long as they are outdoors and stay two-metres apart.
Officers in Telford said they shut down the ‘mass gathering’ at the Granville Country Park in Shropshire on Saturday amid the coronavirus lockdown
In a series of tweets, officers explained they were ‘shocked that people would care so little’ about the restrictions on social gathering, which have been in place for weeks due to the pandemic
‘We are attending a mass gathering/rave at the Granville park. I’m told 70 people here! We have worked so hard and sacrificed so much and this group decide it doesn’t apply. I’m shocked that people would care so little,’ a post said.
The force added that when officers asked revellers why they attended the event, one person said: ‘I’m sick of self-isolation.’
‘They had a DJ set up and appears to be pre planned. We dispersed them for now,’ another tweet added. ‘I couldn’t take pictures of them close up as we don’t name and shame.’
When asked if the group was fined, Telford Police explained: ‘We don’t fine unless there is no other action open.
‘We engage and explain. We asked the group to disperse and they did. We would ask anyone who is thinking of organising one of these events to think of the bigger picture.’
When asked if the group was fined, Telford Police explained: ‘We don’t fine unless there is no other action open’
Meanwhile, Morecambe Police found ‘dozens’ of revellers from different households gathered together for a baby shower in a communal play area outside their homes
Meanwhile, Morecambe Police found ‘dozens’ of revellers from different households gathered together for a baby shower in a communal play area outside their homes.
The partygoers, who were set up with a buffet and a bouncy castle, became abusive towards officers when they arrived at the gathering, telling police it didn’t matter they were together because ‘schools were going back in June.’
The force said it first believed reports of ’30 people on the street having a baby shower’ were ‘exaggerated’ – but ‘on this occasion it was accurate.’
‘Quite often we attend reports like this which are exaggerated,’ it said on Facebook. ‘However on this occasion it was accurate, with dozens of people from different households sitting together on the communal play area outside their houses, complete with balloons, a tasty looking buffet and even a bouncy castle full of children from nearby houses.
‘When the PCSOs politely explained that they should be not congregating like this, three particular individuals in the group became abusive.
‘They stated that it didn’t matter because the schools were going back in June.
‘It was pointed out that if everyone acted like them then the schools would probably have to remain closed.’
The UK has announced a further 114 deaths from coronavirus today on the first Sunday since draconian lockdown measures were eased
The force added: ‘One particularly uncaring individual stated, “well we’re all going to get it so what’s the point” and refused to follow the PCSOs’ advice.
‘When police officers were called to assist, the three courageously decided to run away, presumably more concerned about receiving a fine than giving someone else a potentially fatal disease.’
Warning others of the danger of spreading the deadly virus, the force went on: ‘We understand that everyone is making sacrifices, including missing out on family occasions and seeing friends and loved ones.
‘However, no-one is above the law and we will continue to engage and encourage people to act sensibly and to follow the guidance when meeting friends or family.
‘It is a only a minority of people who decide to ignore this advice.
‘Giving abuse to people for doing their job and trying to keep everyone safe is not acceptable and will be dealt with robustly.’