Seven people fined after police break up '40th birthday party' in Blackpool

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

Eight people were found inside the property when officers arrived. Five of the people did not live at the address

Seven of them were issued with £200 fixed penalty notices, with one exempt on medical grounds, and 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."

The party took place on the same day Home Secretary Priti Patel announced a new fine of £800 is being introduced for people caught at house parties.

At a Downing Street press conference, she said from next week police will be able to give out on the spot fines to anyone at an illegal gathering of more than 15 people.

Fines will double for each repeated offence, with officers able to give out a maximum penalty of £6,400.

Officers can already hand out £10,000 on the spot fines to organisers of illegal gatherings.

"The science is clear: such irresponsible behaviour poses a significant threat to public health," Ms Patel said, "not only to those in attendance but to our wonderful police officers who attend these events to shut them down."

Chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, Martin Hewitt, welcomed the new fines, labelling house parties as "dangerous, irresponsible and totally unacceptable".

He said officers will not "waste time" trying to reason with people breaking the rules in such a way.

He said: "When we see people that are putting themselves and others in danger, we will not waste time trying to reason with them.

"They are demonstrating no regard for the safety of others, or even for themselves."

The current fine for people caught at house parties is £200 - £100 if paid early.

Anybody with concerns about lockdown breaches can report them online by clicking HERE or by calling 101.

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