Video has captured the moment police found 50 people at a lockdown birthday bash – before uncovering a second party that saw the host answer the door in her dressing gown as guests tried to escape out the window.
Bodycam footage showed officers entering a venue above a row of shops on Erdington High Street, Birmingham, at around 11.30pm on Thursday.
Police had been tipped off about the bash by a member of the public who had noticed a series of taxis dropping revellers outside.
Around 50 people were found and fined but the suspected organiser was arrested after refusing to give their details and could now face a fine of £10,000 under coronavirus legislation.
A second party was discovered just hours later at a house in Kings Norton, Birmingham.
The lights went out after guests realised police were outside and a woman came to the door in a dressing gown in a bid to make the officers think she was alone.
She was questioned as to why she was wearing jewellery and fake lashes to bed before showing officers inside the flat – where she said a party was being streamed live on Instagram.
Some guests were allowed to leave but three people were arrested after two officers were assaulted.
Police went on to find a DJ, disco lights, beer, birthday cake (pictured) − and even bags of Class A drugs
Meanwhile, officers responding to reports of a house party in Kings Norton at around 12.30am Friday were confronted by a woman in a dressing gown who was making an apparent bid to make the officers think all was quiet
In the clip, police can be seen swinging open a door to see a mass gathering of people huddled together at the sound proof building above the row of shops.
Some members of the group attempt to slip away unnoticed but are told to stay where they are as officers count up the guest list.
One of the officers can then be heard saying: ‘I don’t know why you are putting your masks on now, it’s a bit late isn’t it.’
Police went on to find a DJ, disco lights, beer, birthday cake − and even Class A drugs.
Nearly 50 people were found there and fined but the suspected organiser was arrested and could now face a fine of £10,000 after refusing to give their details.
Meanwhile, officers responding to reports of a house party in Kings Norton at around 12.30am Friday spotted flashing lights and heard music coming from inside.
A woman came to the door in a dressing gown in an apparent bid to make the officers think all was quiet.
She was questioned as to why she was wearing jewellery and fake lashes to bed before showing officers inside the flat – where she said a party was being streamed live on Instagram.
Police later went outside to see guests attempting to make their getaway through the windows as one officer said: ‘I’ve counted 14 so far.’
Most guests were allowed to leave but three people were arrested after two officers were assaulted.
West Midlands Police Assistant Chief Constable Chris Todd said: ‘Our officers don’t get any enjoyment out of spoiling people’s fun.
‘They are simply trying to keep people safe and reduce the spread of the virus. Where one person might be asymptomatic with the virus, the next might become seriously ill or worse.
This is the shocking moment police found 50 people attending a lockdown birthday bash at a venue in Birmingham, at around 11.30pm on Thursday
Police later went outside to see guests attempting to make their getaway through the windows as one officer said: ‘I’ve counted 14 so far’
‘People who go to these events need to know that they could be spreading the disease without knowing it, or even picking it up while they are out and then bringing it home to loved ones.
‘These breaches are likely to prolong the duration of this pandemic for everyone.
‘Most people are doing their bit, and we are grateful to them for making our jobs easier and saving lives.’
Under current lockdown laws, police can take action against Britons who meet in 15-person, including breaking up illegal gatherings and issuing fines – from £200 for the first offence, doubling to a maximum of £6,400.
If people hold, or are involved in holding, an illegal gathering of over 30 people, the police can issue fines of £10,000. People attending illegal house parties face £800 fines as police tighten their clampdown on rule-breaking.
But the law does not allow police to enter a private property without a warrant – meaning that rule-breakers who refuse officers entry will be let off even if they are informed on by their neighbours.
The breaches come after the UK recorded another 12,027 coronavirus cases and 533 deaths.
The breaches come after the UK recorded another 12,027 coronavirus cases and 533 deaths (graphics above)
Elsewhere, one party-loving trio have been fined by police for breaching lockdown rules – by hosting a hot-tub garden party.
Lancashire Police said officers were alerted to the gathering in Walton-le-Dale, in South Ribble, Lancashire, last Sunday.
Shocked officers acting on the tip-off said they found three people not from the same household enjoying a hut tub party.
Each person was fined £200, alongside 124 other fines issued by Lancashire Police over the weekend.
Assistant Chief Constable Pete Lawson said: ‘Given the temperatures I’m not sure whether they were brave, foolish or stupid.’
Happily, the number of fines last weekend by the force was down from 277 fines the previous weekend.
Mr Lawson added: ‘The incidents now are more down to a hardcore group of people who probably never have listened to good advice.’
Twenty-six fines were also issued after a raid on a student house party at Leighton Halls, in Preston, last Saturday.
And in a separate party, officers found people hiding under beds and in cupboards when they visited a house in Lancaster following reports of loud music.
Elsewhere in the county police found nine people celebrating a wedding at a house in Blackburn.