Fines issued for the unlawful gathering 😷

Seven people have been issued fixed penalty notices for breaching Covid regulations after holding a 40th birthday party in Blackpool.

Police were called around 8pm yesterday (Thursday, January 21) to a report between eight and 10 people were meeting at an address in High Street.

The party took place on the same day Priti Patel, the Home Secretary, announced tougher measures for those attending house parties in England, including £800 fines for anyone attending a house party of more than 15 people. These will double for each repeat offence to a maximum of £6,400. The fines will be introduced from next week.

Officers attended with eight people found inside the property. Five of the people did not live at the address. Seven people were issued tickets with one person exempt on medical grounds. Those who did not live at the address were told to leave immediately.

Insp Gareth Stubbs, of Blackpool Police, said: “We will continue to engage, explain restrictions and encourage compliance before enforcing, but people must take responsibility for their actions.

“Where people have made a genuine mistake we will always look to give advice, however, where gatherings take place, we are obliged to take action through dispersal, imposing of fines to attendees and organisers and making arrests where absolutely necessary.

“The nature of the party was all the more concerning given those involved worked in the hospitality sector and should know better.”