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Police have shut down a series of illegal parties overnight as people enjoyed one last weekend of revelry before stricter coronavirus restrictions go into effect.
With hours until “rule of six” Going into effect, Greater Manchester Police said they had stopped illegal gatherings at properties in Altrincham and Flixton on Saturday night, along with a gathering of around 70 people at Mottram.
Fixed penalty notices were issued on each of the incidents, violating existing prohibitions in groups of more than 30 meetings.
People enjoying a night out in Soho
Officers had previously attended a 45-person meeting in Stockport, and another at an address in North Manchester to which they had been called on two previous occasions.
Meanwhile, large numbers of people flocked to bars and pubs in cities across the UK despite growing number of coronavirus cases, with images showing groups making the most of the weekend warm weather.
That came after the Nottinghamshire police issued a ‘Reckless’ teenager fined £ 10,000 for hosting a house party in Lenton where more than 50 guests gathered at a house on Harlaxton Drive.
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If the 19-year-old does not pay or contest the fine, he will appear in court, police said.
Nottinghamshire Police Deputy Chief Steve Cooper said anyone considering hosting parties ahead of the changes on Monday, when social gatherings in England will be limited to groups of six both indoors and outdoors, should think about it. again or face the consequences.
“We must all remember that we are still in the midst of a global pandemic and we must all take responsibility for our actions,” he said.
Figures on Saturday showed a further 3,497 people had tested positive for coronavirus in the UK.
“I want to send a clear message to anyone who is thinking of deliberately throwing parties tonight or tomorrow night before they change the rules so they don’t.
“As we have shown here, we are not afraid to use all the powers we have and we will not tolerate those who deliberately endanger the lives of other people.”
The president of the Police Federation had previously warned the public not to have a “holiday weekend” before the stricter rules for social gatherings came into force.
People sing and dance while watching a street performer in Leicester Square.
Government figures on Saturday showed another 3,497 people tested positive for coronavirus in the UK.
The number of new infections increased 36% last Saturday, when 2,594 new cases were reported across the country.
