Police fine 49 petrolheads for breaking Covid lockdown

Police fine 49 petrolheads for breaking Covid lockdown after they were caught speeding round roundabout at illegal Romford car meet

  • Officers issued fines to 49 drivers who broke Covid lockdown rules last night 
  • Police attended illegal gathering of around 50 cars in Romford before midnight
  • Comes as across England officers have issues fines for breaches of restrictions
  • In Manchester 110 fixed-penalty notices have been issued since 3pm on Friday

Police fined 49 petrolheads for breaking Covid lockdown after they were caught speeding round a roundabout at an illegal Romford car meet.

Officers found the group of around 50 vehicles speeding around the local area last night and those in attendance were mixing without any social distancing. 

Body worn footage from the scene showed officers walking towards a red car which was turning on the pavement while dozens of other cars lined the roads just before midnight. 

Police in Romford fined 49 petrolheads for breaching coronavirus restrictions after they were caught speeding round a roundabout just before midnight last night. Pictured: Police at the scene

Dozens of cars were on the roads just before midnight last night resulting in 49 people being issued with fines

Dozens of cars were on the roads just before midnight last night resulting in 49 people being issued with fines

Body worn footage showed an officer approaching a red car which was turning on the pavement

Body worn footage showed an officer approaching a red car which was turning on the pavement 

It comes as officers in Manchester issues 110 fixed-penalty notices for Covid-19 regulation breaches since 3pm on Friday, bringing the total issued in the region to 2,600 since August. 

Home Secretary Priti Patel is set to introduce tougher new laws to punish people who breach lockdown guidelines, giving officers new powers to break up ‘super-spreader’ functions of more than 15 people. 

Met Police Detective Chief Superintendent Stephen Clayman said it was ‘unacceptable’ that people are still breaking the rules ‘at a time when there is so much pressure on the NHS’. 

He continued: ‘It is more important than ever before that people follow the regulations.

‘The restrictions are clear enough and there is no excuse for this sort of selfish behaviour that puts lives at risk and causes a nuisance for nearby residents who are doing the right thing by staying at home.

‘We understand that this is a very difficult time for everyone but our top priority as police officers is keeping people safe. If that means moving quicker to enforcement action for more wilful breaches, then we will do.’

The Met Special Constbulary shared a picture from the illegal gathering last night along with a message which read: ‘This is not an essential journey! As a result, over 50 Fixed Penalty Notices have been issued and further intelligence submitted. #StayHomeSaveLives’

The latest arrests in Romford come as officers in Manchester raided several parties this weekend.

Fines were handed out on Saturday night to partygoers at a property in Greengate, Salford, where police responded to reports of 30 people attending

Fines were handed out on Saturday night to partygoers at a property in Greengate, Salford, where police responded to reports of 30 people attending

Fines were handed out on Saturday night to partygoers at a property in Greengate, Salford, where police responded to reports of 30 people attending

Police raided a house party of 50 at an address in Manchester last night, though it is unclear if anyone was arrested

Police raided a house party of 50 at an address in Manchester last night, though it is unclear if anyone was arrested

Social media photos showed people at the Greengate party drinking champagne and dancing close together

Social media photos showed people at the Greengate party drinking champagne and dancing close together

Social media photos showed people at the Greengate party drinking champagne and dancing close together

Currently, those who attend parties of less than 30 can be fined £200 for the first offence and there is a £10,000 fine for organisers of large gatherings.

However, under the tougher new plans, every person attending events of more than 15 will be fined £10,000.

Police in Manchester blasted a minority of people who still believe they are ‘above the law’ as they broke up house parties over the weekend.

Officers said they issued 110 fixed-penalty notices for Covid-19 regulation breaches since 3pm on Friday, bringing the total issued in the region to 2,600 since August.

Home Secretary Priti Patel is set to introduce tougher new laws to punish people who breach lockdown guidelines to go to house parties

Home Secretary Priti Patel is set to introduce tougher new laws to punish people who breach lockdown guidelines to go to house parties

Fines were handed out on Saturday night to partygoers at an address in Hulme, and at a property in Greengate, Salford, where police responded to reports of 30 people attending.

Social media photos showed people at the Greengate party drinking champagne and dancing close together.

More photos from a party in Cheetham Hill showed around 20 officers raided a party of more than 50 revellers.

The Home Secretary’s new rules to tackle Covid breaches could be brought into force within days and would emulate the ones brought in by Nicola Sturgeon in Scotland.