Large crowds dance in the streets after pubs close before 10 p.m. curfew in shocking footage

Large crowds were seen taking to the streets after pubs, bars and restaurants closed under the 10pm curfew in shocking footage.

Scenes in London’s Leicester Square last night show people dancing, singing and gathering in groups with an apparent lack of social distancing.

The images were shared on Twitter with the caption: “Crowds try to socially distance themselves and then give up as they gather to hear and dance to the busker playing some tunes on #LeicesterSquare … boos when police shut it down due to # restrictions on coronavirus #socialdistancing.

Viewers were not impressed, with one saying, “And this ladies and gentlemen is the reason why shiz will get tougher and restrictions tougher, because the only thing worse than COVIDIOTS is COVIDIOTS drunk.”

Another wrote: “The second total crash is coming …”

It comes as the mayor of London has said that the tighter coronavirus restrictions are “ unavoidable ” and that when they go into effect, he wants them to apply across London.

On Friday, Sadiq Khan told LBC: “We are at a very serious tipping point. The virus is accelerating everywhere in London.”

He said a tightening of the rules in London was “inevitable” along with the expected announcement of a new three-tier system due to deliver by the government next week.

Khan also said that he believes that London restrictions should not be district by municipality and should apply to all of London because “it is the most effective way to reduce the spread of this virus.”

He said: “My prediction is that more restrictions will be introduced because we don’t want to see in October and November what we saw in March and April.”

A spokesperson for the Mayor of London told My London: “The Mayor and London Council leaders are increasingly alarmed by the spread of the virus in the city.

“The spread is accelerating in all parts of London and those areas that recently had lower relative levels are now also seeing cases increasing very rapidly.

“The Mayor and leaders want to warn Londoners that additional restrictions are very likely soon. We have to start preparing for them now.

“All Londoners should strictly follow the rules and guidelines in force, and also take all reasonable precautions to protect themselves and stop the spread of the virus.”