Police break up group of 40 people in Northampton as lockdown rules are broken

Police officers dispersed a large group on Saturday night in Briar Hill after receiving a report of a gathering that was breaking the social distancing rules put in place in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Officers were called at 10.40pm to at an address in The Briars with 40 people in attendance.

One local resident said they could hear loud music and saw people running around the street.

They said: "The police just told them to go home. I'm pretty sure that in a few days it will happen again because they didn't have any punishment.

"I called environmental health who told me the officer will contact me in three to ten days. It's ridiculous."

A spokeswoman for Northamptonshire Police confirmed to the Chronicle & Echo that no arrests were made and added: "We would strongly encourage people to follow the guidance.

"Everyone has had a chance to get used to the rules now and we will start issuing fines to rule breakers who ruin it for everyone else."

The resident added: "What about coronavirus? Everybody needs to protect themselves and wear a mask but I couldn't see anybody wearing a mask. I'm so upset about this.

"I know people want to have fun but to do it on a residential street is out of order."

Assistant Chief Constable Simon Blatchly said in the weekly coronavirus press conference on Friday that police are seeing a rise in calls from the members of the public about breaches of the rule of six generally across the county and officers will be "proportionate" and will step up action where there is "clear and flagrant breaches."

New laws prohibiting social gatherings of more than six people came into effect on 14 September as the Government calls on the public to remain vigilant in the fight against coronavirus.

It means that – apart from a set of limited exemptions including work and education – any social gatherings of more than six people are against the law.