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Police raiding an illegal birthday celebration found a four-member band ready to perform for up to 30 guests.
Having entered a disused store in Birmingham, officers found 24 people crowded into the small place. They believe more would have come if they hadn’t cracked down on the celebration so early in the evening.
Lockdown rules prevent all public gatherings from taking place and people should only leave the house for essential reasons, exercise, or to meet someone else outside for socializing.
Buffet tables with food and drink were set, and a set of keyboards and several guitars were found in a corner of the room.
The police issued 12 fines of £ 200 to party guests and six fines of £ 1,000 to gang members and two organizers.
Officers the following night were alerted to an illegal poker party taking place at a nearby pub.
When the officers entered The Station pub in the Kings Heath area of the city, they were told that “no one has organized this, only friendly games”, but soon after all those present gave their details when they threatened to arrest them.
Around 20 people were fined £ 800 overnight.
Read more: What you can and cannot do under current lockdown rules
Deputy Chief Chris Todd said in a statement: “Our officers are not happy to split up these meetings and dole out fines, but they know it’s the right thing to do.
“It’s great that we have a roadmap out of lockdown and that the vaccination program seems to be progressing so well, but it’s vital that we don’t ruin it by relaxing too soon.
“Our approach to monitoring the pandemic will adhere to the restrictions.
“There are still several weeks until June 21, which is the earliest possible date when all legal limits on social contact could end.
“Between now and then, it is vital that we stay focused on reducing contact and stopping the spread of the virus.
“We will continue to contribute our grain of sand, and all we ask is that you help us.”
After posting a video of the raids on the forces’ official Twitter page, a message was read: “Thank you to all who are doing their part and abiding by the rules. Let’s move on.”
On Friday, the Office for National Statistics released a report confirming that coronavirus infection rates are declining in England. However, in areas including the West Midlands, where the parties were reported, the data was classified as “uncertain”, meaning it is not known whether rates are still slowing or declining.
On Monday, all schools in England reopened for all pupils, but the next level of relaxation in the confinement won’t take place until March 29, when up to six people will be allowed to gather outdoors, including in public gardens.
Boris Johnson has set out his ‘road map’ to get the country out of the lockdown, but has said that June 21 will be the earliest date on which all restrictions could be lifted.
Look: what you can and cannot do during the third UK lockdown
