Two arrested and 64 fined at illegal beach rave on National Trust site

Partygoers were 'astoundingly irresponsible', say Merseyside Police

Around 100 people were found at the party on Formby beach (PA)

Two people were arrested and 64 were fined for breaking lockdown rules at an illegal beach rave on a National Trust site.

Police found around 100 people at the party on Formby beach after receiving complaints about a large gathering with loud music after midnight on Sunday.

DJ equipment and lighting were seized by officers from Merseyside Police at the site, which is known for its red squirrel population.

"Those who attended the event in Formby last night were astoundingly irresponsible," said deputy chief constable Serena Kennedy.

"They were not only breaking the law but have put anyone that they come into contact with over the next few days, including their friends, family and colleagues, at risk of catching and spreading coronavirus with their utterly selfish behaviour."

The chief constable also highlighted the importance of lockdown rules after two cases of the South African variant were detected in nearby Southport and cases of the E484K mutation were identified in Liverpool.

Targeted testing is taking place in a bid to prevent the spread of the variants, which may be more infectious, more resistant to vaccines or cause more severe illness.

“It is now as important as ever that our communities in Sefton and across Merseyside stick to the national lockdown rules which means people should not be leaving their homes for non-essential reasons or meeting up with other people outside their household or support bubble," said Ms Kennedy.

“It is only by following the rules that we will stop the spread of this deadly virus. If we all pull together, we will be able to return to normality a lot sooner.

“We need to do everything we can to protect the public during this pandemic and, rest assured, police will not hesitate to take action when people show such blatant disregard for the rules, as we saw in Formby last night."

In Wales police fined nine people for gathering to watch the England v Scotland rugby match at a home in Swansea on Saturday. Another six people were fined for attending a birthday party in the village of Ynystawe.